Music is all around us. It is widely used in media and is one of the earliest forms of entertainment. It is virtually impossible to go through one’s day without hearing music. Listening to music is a relaxing and enjoyable activity and can also help with various mental health concerns. As an alternative to traditional talk therapy, a music therapy program is a fun, exciting way for teens to express and work through their emotions.
Here at Imagine Fort Collins, we provide myriad treatment programs for teens, including music therapy. If other forms of more traditional therapy have been unsuccessful, or if you’re simply looking for more appealing therapy, a music therapy program may be a better fit for you and your family. Call us at 888.291.2309 today to learn more about what we can offer.
What Is the Connection Between Music and Mental Health?
Here are a few more benefits that music provides:
- Improves focus – Listening to music increases memory retention and focus. Music with a tempo of 60 beats per minute can increase the brain’s ability to process information.
- Helps relaxation – Calming sounds are very effective in making a person relax. It can also help improve sleep and alleviate symptoms of anxiety.
- Reduces stress – Soft, ambient music can reduce stress in listeners. Music positively impacts the human stress response, allowing listeners to recover from stressors faster.
- Elevates motivation – Not only can up-tempo music affect a person’s mood, but it can also improve motivation, helping someone get started on day-to-day tasks and be more productive.
Many studies have shown that music can affect emotions and moods. You can use upbeat music to pump yourself up, or a dramatic musical score can enhance the experience of a tense, thrilling movie. While mood enhancement is powerful, music’s impact on your mental health doesn’t end there.
How Does Music Therapy Work as an Alternative Therapy for Mental Health Disorders?
While it’s clear that music can affect someone’s mental state, how can this be utilized as an effective form of alternative therapy? In music therapy, various strategies use music listening and creating to assist with a patient’s unique challenges. These approaches include:
- Musical improvisation – Playing a musical instrument, regardless of skill level or talent, can provide a therapeutic release for pent-up emotions. This can be helpful in cases when the patient cannot articulate their feelings in words. The music made can also be used as a starting point for more in-depth discussion.
- Active listening – Music’s mood-enhancing abilities are used to match or elevate the patient’s mood. Music can also be used to calm and reduce impulsiveness.
- Songwriting – The song creation process can stimulate the patient’s mind and boost their confidence while helping them better communicate their ideas and emotions. Having others listen to something they created can also be a validating experience.
As a less threatening variation of talk therapy, music therapy in the form of lyrics analysis can also be beneficial. Discussing song lyrics, sometimes in relation to the patient’s situation, can reveal valuable insight into a patient’s mental state.
Start Music Therapy at Imagine Fort Collins
Music therapy can be especially effective in teenagers who often see music as an extension of their personalities and beliefs. Many teens naturally gravitate to the medium, creating a lower barrier to entry.
If you are looking for a supplement to traditional therapy or are simply interested in music therapy in Colorado, Imagine Fort Collins offers a wide variety of therapy programs to suit each patient’s unique needs. Our friendly and experienced staff is waiting to help you find the best fit for you and your family. Contact Imagine Fort Collins today at 888.291.2309 to learn more.