Music Therapy and Child Abuse

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by an accredited professional who as completed an approved music therapy program. “Music therapists hope that scientific research continues to define how their work differs from entertainment, and how it benefits patients as much as other more familiar complementary therapies such as art therapy.” (Mellskog) This shows how even though there is little research and evidence on music therapy, it is still very effective and a

Original Thesis Statement: Incorporating art-based activities and techniques effectively develops coping skills, self expression, open communication, and begins the healing process for children who have experienced trauma.

Childhood trauma appears to be a critical factor with association to serious disorders in childhood and adulthood. The DSM-V TR primarily categorizes most traumatic experiences under the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Knowledge about, the cause, development, and effects of, traumatic stress aids in the beginning steps of the assessment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the appropriate treatments for recovery. Art Therapy, used within the groundwork of Herman’s Three Stage Model for Recovery, can serve as an effective treatment method to aid the recovery of those who have suffered from PTSD.

Music shows how early trauma and neglect can impair a child’s education, social activities and life. Children need constant parental monitoring in order to thrive. Without constant redirection, nurturing and advice - especially in vulnerable communities like impoverished homes and poor neighborhoods - external negative influences can neglect can set in triggering PTSD-like symptoms. In short, without parental monitoring, children do not learn the necessities in order to live life to the fullest. Music explains PTSD to include “intrusive thoughts” and “flashbacks.” “Interpersonal trauma” refers to injuries and neglect that can be sustained within families. Children are negatively impacted by neglect because if the parent is unable to meet the child’s basic and psychological needs, then not only is the child at risk, but the parent is demonstrating irresponsible behavior. This, in turn, becomes the normalcy for these children and they bring these irresponsible behaviors into adulthood and the

Getting lost in music can be a quick emotional fix that will have positive long lasting effects

In this case study, the author focuses on their transference relationship both within and outside of the musical context in sessions. Therapeutically, the style of session were analytically oriented, which is very similar to Brucia’s “music in psychotherapy.” Clinical aims throughout treatment include finding a sense of self, developing a therapeutic alliance, developing the ability to establish contact, and developing the ability to express herself. The study highlights Lise, who had described herself of having a negative self image, low self esteem, and a general mistrust with her surroundings. Lise had not received music therapy before the treatment with Hannibal, but was prescribed to be on a medication to stabilize her mood.

Music Therapists (MTs) borrow from a range of non-music based therapy models in their development of Music Therapy-specific treatment models. Many widely used Music Therapy (MT) techniques have their roots in psychological theories and treatment models. Cognitive Behavioural Music Therapy (CBMT) draws on the widely-used and extensively researched psychology approach, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), to address CBT goals through MT interventions. Despite the many parralels between CBT and MT there is limited literature on CBMT; the existing literature indicates that CBMT may be an effective treatment for clients with a variety of needs. Improvisation in CBMT makes up an even smaller portion of the literature, however the theoretical underpinnings of the CBT approach are congruent with the use of music improvisation.

“The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as ‘an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals’” (Barnett & Shale, 2013, p.48). Music Therapy (MT) is shown to be able to help people with many different kinds of mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and minor cases of depression. There have been many studies done showing that MT is an effective form of therapy that can improve someone’s overall Quality Of Life (QOL). MT is known as an alternative technique therapy. It is often used instead of, or along with, medication to produce a result in the patience who need it. MT involves all aspects of the music process, including listening to, writing, singing, and analyzing music. Overall MT addresses physical and emotional problems and is used to enhance the life and health of the patient. This review is simply to inform readers of the effects music and MT has on mental health, specifically:

support therapist with there efforts of associated within arts to aid in helping patients through raising their disposition through music. The critical observations towards Music therapy by health and medical care has struck my cord of curiosity as to establish how they have stood up to these viewpoints.

of their traumatic experience in a positive way as Pellitteri states: “Music therapy methods such

There are many different ways that we benefit from music. Music can inspire better self-esteem, and confidence. It’s a great way to set the mood, and a wonderful tool. Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (Gram, 2005). Music therapy can reach out to anyone, age, race, gender it doesn’t matter. Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs can benefit from music therapy. As well as, those who have developmental and learning disabilities, those who suffer from Alzheimer's

The health issue under examination is this study is psychological distress among cancer patients treated with radiotherapy. The researchers examine this health issue because oncology patients usually respond to diagnosis and treatment through emotional expressions or symptoms in the form of anxiety. Some of the most commonly expressed forms of anxiety include stress, depression, fear, and frustration (Chen, Wang, Shih & Wu, 2013, p.436). While these researchers focus on how music therapy helps to lessen this anxiety, they do not demonstrate how it is

Thesis statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the subject of music therapy in terms of the way it works, importance, as well as reflect on the the impact and benefits of music therapy for children and their families.

A song or a piece of music has the power to transform an individual and take them not only to a different state of mind, but quite possibly a different consciousness. Making or singing music also has the power to transform an individual. “There is a resemblance of music in pitch, volume, rhythm, melody and structure to the natural human expression of emotion in voice, demeanor and behavior” (Ushedo, 2006, 1). Making music can create an environment where it indirectly teaches individuals communication and social skills through the emotions brought out by the music. The social interaction between individuals with behavioral problems has been aided by using musical activities. It can “encourage or motivate communication through musical activities, which are responsive to the child to promote eye contact, turn taking, sharing, joint attention” (Stephenson, 2006, 297). While creating a calmer and more relaxed environment with musical activities, behavioral problems can be aided through the use of this form of music therapy.

Needle pricks, medicine, exhaustion, sickness, pain, feeling different ‒ these are just a few of the things that people with mental disabilities and serious diseases have to go through on a daily basis. But what if there was a different kind of treatment that could comfort them or reduce their pain even a little bit? Fortunately, for the people facing these issues, there is. Music therapy is a relatively new approach that doctors, teachers, and many others are taking to help heal and improve the quality of life for their patients and students. It’s starting to become more common around the United States and is expected to become even more popular in the future. Books like Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart support the idea of music therapy by demonstrating how music can be used to soothe and improve the moods of individuals regardless of what they may be going through. Music therapy is an effective way to speed up the healing process and improve the emotional state of a wide range of people facing different obstacles in life.