Experiential therapy, like a music therapy program, can add a great deal of value to your teen’s substance use or mental health treatment. Experiential therapies provide a chance to relax and get in touch with their deepest feelings without hours of talking to a therapist.

At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®, we aim to help teenage boys start their journey to better health and overall well-being through our many programs and treatment options.

To learn more about the experiential therapies offered at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®, call 828.519.5047 today. We’ll give you the information you need to make an informed decision about your teen’s care.

How Does Music Therapy Work?

What is music therapy, and how can it be effective? Music therapy is a type of experiential therapy, which means clients are actively doing something instead of answering a therapist’s questions and talking about their issues.

Sometimes called sound therapy, music therapy is a guided process that includes a trained music therapist. The goal is to help a client meet their mental health goals.

Depending on their needs and interests, there are different types of music therapy activities a client might engage in.

Performance can include playing a musical instrument, singing, or clapping along with the music. Writing music offers an outlet for emotional expression and creativity. Listening to music is an effective way to relax the mind and support participants as they access their feelings or respond to the emotions the music evokes.

Drawing while listening to music, discussing individual songs, and dancing or moving are also beneficial ways to engage.

This therapy may be conducted during a one-on-one therapy session or in a group. During a therapy session, the therapist will choose one or more music therapy activities depending on the goals of the session.

Music Therapy and Teens

Teens typically find some type of solace in music, especially the music of their generation. Asking teen clients to relate to music—to explain what lyrics mean to them or express how the music makes them feel—is an effective way to help teens express their own emotions and viewpoints.

Music therapy activities can be especially helpful with adolescents who have experienced trauma. Traumatized teens may be unable to talk about their own difficult experiences, but they can find an outlet through music.

Teens who enjoy playing instruments, writing music, or singing can grow more confident with the help of music therapy. Simply participating in a safe, nonjudgmental atmosphere can help clients improve their self-esteem and willingness to be seen by others.

Therapists may use this therapy as a way to assess a client. Observing how they respond to certain types of music or music activities provides insight that may not be possible through talking.

Benefits of Music Therapy

The benefits of music therapy vary according to the types of music therapy used and the client’s goals. Some benefits include:

• Lowering stress
• Building social skills
• Regulating mood
• Reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety
• Exploring and expressing emotions
• Relaxing
• Improving language and communication skills
• Reducing pain
• Improving self-confidence
• Developing better problem-solving skills
• Improving motor function, movement, balance, and coordination
• Developing healthy coping skills

Another benefit of music therapy is that it provides a refreshing change from more intense talk therapies—this is particularly true for teens. Though still a therapeutic experience, music therapy can be fun and joyful—just like music.

Learn More About Music Therapy at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery®

What is music therapy and how does music therapy work? Understanding the value of experiential therapies can be challenging, especially if the concepts are new to you. Music therapy is well-studied and evidence-based. It can be especially effective for teens and others who have difficulty accessing or expressing their emotions in words.

Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® offers music therapy and other experiential therapies along with traditional behavioral therapies. Call Foothills at Red Oak Recovery® today at 828.519.5047 or use our online contact form for more information.