ADHD Music Therapy: Mental Health Benefits Of Music Therapy For Children With ADHD

What do music therapists do?

Music therapists work to help people process emotions, reduce stress, distract themselves from physical pain, accomplish individualized goals, and improve quality of life. Music therapists can be helpful for a range of mental and physical conditions, and it is often used in combination with other treatment approaches, such as talk therapy and medication. 

A music therapist must have the credential MT-BC from the CBMT (Certification Board for Music Therapists) to perform therapy. To obtain this, they must earn a bachelor’s degree in a music therapy program and pass the national exam.

What are the four types of music therapy?

According to the American Music Therapy Association, the four broad types of music therapy are: 

• Receptive: The therapist plays music for the client—perhaps classical music, rap music, or another genre—and the client responds with their own music, words, dance, or other responses. 
• Re-creative: In this type of therapy, the client recreates the music played by their music therapist.
• Improvisation: The client improves, creating music spontaneously. The therapist can use the tone of music and lyrics to assess mood. Improvisational music therapy is a kind of active music therapy in which the client actively participates in musical performance.
• Compositional: In this type of music therapy, the client and therapist work together to compose music. 

The benefits of a music therapy program can be maximized by using the most beneficial type of therapy to help their client accomplish individualized goals. The approach may change and adapt as the client and therapist work together. 

What are the benefits of music therapy for your mental health?

Music can have a positive impact on your mental health by: 

• Reducing stress
• Enhancing focus
• Increasing motivation
• Elevating mood
• Improving memory and processing speed
• Boosting exercise performance

The type of music you listen to can have different effects. For example, calming music can help you relax and de-stress, whereas upbeat music can elevate heart rate and improve athletic performance. 

What are the five elements of music therapy?

The five elements of music therapy are rooted in the five musical elements: 

• Wood (tone: Jue)
• Fire (tone: Zhi)
• Earth (tone: Gong)
• Metal (tone: Shang)
• Water (tone: Yu)

The concept of music therapy rooted in the five elements proposes that these five tones are associated with certain emotions and organs in the body. While it’s not clear why it works, clinical research has found that five-element music therapy can have positive effects on sleep quality, depression, and quality of life. 

What is the goal of a music therapist?

A music therapist helps clients achieve their treatment goals through the use of music. According to the American Music Therapy Association, goals are individualized for the person receiving therapy. For example, music therapy can help clients improve their motor skills, manage stress, reduce anxiety and pain, process traumatic life experiences, improve social functioning and daily life, enhance communication abilities, and support overall emotional well-being. 

Music interventions can be conducted in many settings, including correctional facilities, nursing homes, physical rehabilitation centers, senior centers, schools, hospitals, and mental health centers.

What music is used for music therapy?

According to the American Music Therapy Association, there is no “most common” type of music used in therapy, but rhythmic music is of particular significance. The genre of music used depends on the client’s personal preferences, music perception, and needs. For example, music therapists may use classical, rock, gospel, jazz, or pop music. The client is typically asked about their music preferences, and the songs selected will meet their ability level. 

What are the basics of music therapy?

At its most basic level, music therapy is an evidence-based clinical intervention or music therapy treatment plan aimed at improving clients' mental and/or physical health and well-being. During music therapy interventions, clients may listen to music, play an instrument, sing, compose music, or dance to music.

Music therapy can help with anxiety, depression, and more:

• Depression
• Stress or anxiety
• Physical pain 
• Emotional pain and traumatic events 
• Improve communication and social skills 
• Motor skills 
• Mood 

Why is music a form of therapy?

Music can be a form of therapy in psychology, helping people relax, express themselves, process their emotions, and alleviate stress. The evidence-based social, physical, and mental health benefits of music interventions have been repeatedly supported in peer-reviewed research. 

What is considered music therapy?

An approved music therapy program is a type of therapy conducted by a music therapist (MT-BC). Music therapists may create a healthy therapeutic relationship while incorporating music in a variety of ways, such as playing instruments, playing music, listening to music, making music, singing, or dancing to music. 

Can music relieve stress?

Music therapy may have an impact on mood. Research has found that the specific impact of music depends on the musical genre, who selects the music, musical tempo, and individual factors. Picking calming music, for example, may lower heart rate, cortisol levels, and subjective stress levels. However, research results are mixed.