Music Therapy: Prevalence And Practice Since 1950

Music Therapy: Prevalence and Practice since 1950 Everyone loves music. This is a truth very few people can deny. One can even argue that music is not just a source of entertainment, but language in and of itself; a language that is truly international and can be enjoyed by all. Beats of drums can be of any origin, melodies of music and rhythmic sounds of the piano can extend any language barrier. It is a universal phenomenon spanning all cultures and thus, there is no one definition to describe it. In fact, individual perspective gives allowance to the many genres and styles of music in existence today. Many define music as the rhythmic vibrations of sound but some would argue that it is based on an art form, how it make some react with emotion,

The music therapy program is for everyone and away from institutions. Podolsky states that “therapists can work in psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, agencies serving developmentally disabled persons, community mental health centers, drug and alcohol programs, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, schools, and private practice.” Therapist in these treatment facilities can treat a multitude of ages, but they treat people with health needs, learning and developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, brain damage, alcohol and drug abuse, stress and anxiety and many more. Music selections will be played according to the age of the patient. “Music therapist asses the emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses. They design, music sessions for individuals’ and groups based on client needs using: music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up” Although more research on music therapy needs to be done, it is obvious that music plays an important role on the recovery for