Tuning into Our Tweens & Teens With Music (Part 2)
Music is the universal language. It’s a way to connect with others despite their differences. Regardless of age we all feel a beat, hum along to a catchy melody, and decide if we like or don’t like what we are hearing. Music unifies all listeners with a common experience. This is true when music is brought into a therapeutic setting with tweens and teens. Whether the music therapist is leading a group session or one to one, when music starts it invites everyone into the experience. It’s not intimidating. The usual walls the tween or teens put up quickly come down.
Music can help tweens/teens develop their identity and connect with peers. It helps them relax and manage their mood. Music can help tweens/teens focus and improve their behavior and feel like they belong, increasing their social confidence. Music therapists are trained to assist their clients through the primary tool of music to explore, learn, and grow in the clinical setting. Licensed Creative Arts Therapists (LCAT) are also trained in psychotherapy. Often tweens and teens are more willing to work on challenging topics with these professionals through Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy (CBMT) than in a non-music setting.
Music therapy can help with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression by improving mood, reducing stress, and helping clients process emotions. It can also help with self-esteem, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Music can bypass the cognitive part of the brain and directly tap into emotions which are validated by the music therapist.
Music styles evoking different emotions and thoughts are processed with the support of the music therapist.
Making music using melodic and rhythm instruments, and through digital means, with the therapist can be as, if not more, powerful than listening to music alone.
Music therapy can help people explore thoughts and beliefs while listening, playing, and writing music.
Music therapy can help people develop coping strategies through the analysis of song lyrics, grounding rhythms, and sung self-talk reminders.
Music therapy can assist the client recognize behavior patterns and musically explore the belief systems behind their actions.
Can music and creative arts therapy help our tween or teenager?
Use our contact us link to explore whether your child would benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy (CBMT) sessions. We will assist you with setting up a 15-minute consultation phone call.
This blog series was written by Amy Thomas.