Why Music Therapy Boosts Your Mental Health

Does this quote sound familiar? “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast. To soften rocks, or bend the knotted oak.” Mistakenly attributed to William Shakespeare, it’s actually from the play The Mourning Bride by another English poet and playwright, William Congreve. Comfort is one of many reasons why music therapy is included in many rehabilitation treatment programs for addiction and dual diagnosis disorders. More than simply streaming your favorite song, music therapy provides a structured, restorative approach to trauma recovery.

Understanding Music Therapy 

According to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), early forms of music therapy began in the early 1800s. By 1941, three different organizations formed to expand education and research into the practice: the National Association for Music in Hospitals, the National Foundation of Music Therapy, and the National Association for Schools of Music. Mental health professionals started using music therapy as another level of personalized treatment. By the 1970s, “music therapy clients also now included elderly people in nursing homes, individuals in rehabilitation settings, patients with medical conditions, and prisoners,” the AMTA states.

Professional music therapy interventions are used to address psychological and physical trauma symptoms. Generally, this non-invasive approach allows you to access and express feelings, as well as learn vital coping methods to manage triggers more effectively. Research into the practice also points to other benefits:  

• Veterans and other individuals with PTSD experience a decrease in anxiety, along with increased self-esteem and a relaxed mind and body. In fact, the AMTA has an entire fact sheet referencing various ways music helps Veterans and active military members. 
• Many therapists use music to help individuals build better communication and socialization skills.
• People who participate in music therapy sessions often report positive changes in mood as well as physiological responses.
• Music also influences pain reduction and respiration, which is why it’s often used in post-surgical recovery. 

In an article for Psychology Today, professor emeritus Shahram Heshmat, Ph.D., suggests that “the same brain-chemical system that enables feelings of pleasure from sex, addictive drugs, money, and food is also critical to experiencing musical pleasure.” This means that when we listen to various melodies, especially soothing music, there’s a release of pleasure-causing substances such as melatonin and norepinephrine. Further, tunes with lyrics that align with the listener’s personal experience can “give voice to feelings or experiences that one might not be able to express oneself.”

However, it’s important to note that some studies indicate overly nostalgic or sad songs might actually deepen depression. So, if you want to boost your mood, it’s important to select tracks that counter that effect, such as listening to jazz or pleasant classical music or participating in a drum circle.

Why Seabrook Offers Music Therapy

At Seabrook, we understand that every individual has unique needs, so our board-certified professionals rely on a wide range of holistic therapies to enhance our evidence-based, whole-person treatment approach. We design music therapy programs to help you or a loved one manage stress and anxiety, share feelings, alleviate pain, and enhance their memory. It’s a highly customized technique based on each person’s medical and emotional needs.

The primary goal is to create a safe place for you to address obstacles to recovery and explore new ways of being. In addition to the benefits above, many participants state that making a mental connection with music through listening, singing, or playing is an excellent way to divert attention and energy into something healthy. 

However, there are some particular concerns about how music therapy might impact someone with a more complicated trauma history: 

• The ATMA states that certain symptoms, such as direct trauma-related associations or intense auditory or physical sensitivity, might prompt a negative response in some people. 
• Comorbid health issues, such as traumatic brain injury, acute substance use disorder (SUD) or alcohol use disorder (AUD), or a higher degree of PTSD, may prevent some people from benefiting from music therapy interventions.
• Additionally, some researchers state that just as not all forms of talk therapy are beneficial to all people, alternative approaches such as music therapy might not create the same degrees of success. 

The clinical team at Seabrook will perform an assessment to determine if music therapy is right for you. 

Seabrook’s Whole-Person Care Approach

You’re more than simply a diagnosis. At Seabrook’s four award-winning addiction treatment centers in New Jersey, we strive to help you understand the many facets of who you are, why you’re in this moment, and what you need to move forward in confident health. This whole-person approach benefits you not only in recovery but in life. Consult with one of our admission specialists today to learn more about The Seabrook Model and how it will make a difference for you.