about music psychotherapy Music Psychotherapy is psychotherapy that can add music-making, singing, songwriting and listening to music, to the psychotherapy experience. Like psychotherapy, music psychotherapy evaluates and treats specific issues and concerns. It is particularly helpful in addressing issues related to self-exploration, self-expression, and interpersonal difficulties: self-esteem, anxiety, spontaneity, communication, creativity, stress, depression, intimacy, and workplace conflicts. A client does NOT need any previous experience or skill in music to benefit. Why would someone choose to go to a music therapist versus a regular psychotherapist? Some people feel uncomfortable expressing themselves verbally or have difficulty articulating their problems. Sometimes people are aware that they are "too much in their head" and want to access their areas of difficulty in a non-verbal manner;musical expression creates maximum space for exploration and discovery. Others are involved in the arts or are interested in incorporating a creative process into their self-growth. Many have had a lot of verbal psychotherapy but feel that talking has not thoroughly helped them. Some people like the active, mutual experience that making music together provides. Describe a typical session. The client describes the pressing issues, feelings, or concerns and when the client feels ready, we play, sing, or listen to, music together. We then discuss what happened during the playing and what it was like. The music-making expresses, clarifies, and identifies what the issues are and facilitates their resolution. The music-making is as frequent as the client desires. Music Psychotherapy allows for self-exploration in a safe, creative and productive environment.

The use of music in the service of health has roots that can be traced to every ancient civilization.