The next time you sit down to enjoy a film or television series, pay close attention to the musical score. The selection and supervision of music in movies and TV productions is an art onto itself, particularly in film franchises such as Star Wars, in which the original score was masterfully composed by John Williams. Music consultants for the film industry know that the right score can convey emotional power; they know, for example, that a daring space combat scene calls for a thunderous piece with a high tempo and lots of crescendi.
We often listen to music to improve our mood, for inspiration, for entertainment, and even sometimes for distraction. If you think about it, these are all aspects of mental health. When you listen to a Rihanna song on your Spotify playlist, chances are that it will put you in a dancing mood, which is generally accompanied by happiness. Some people find the post-rock instrumentals of the Texas band Explosions in the Sky to be soothing and cathartic when they are going through difficult times. Based on this, it should not be surprising to learn that incorporating music into therapy can help some patients deal with anxiety and depression.
In March 2022, the Journal of the American Association published a systematic review of more than two dozen studies related to therapeutic music interventions. Some of the topics included in this review were related to stress and anxiety. Researchers specifically focused on quality of life improvements reported by patients who benefited from audio therapy; some of these factors are energy, emotional control, social behavior, and overall mental health. This analysis concludes that music therapy, when used in conjunction with other treatments, can be of great benefit for patients who seek to improve their mental health.
How Incorporating Music into Therapy Works for Anxiety and Depression
Sound therapy dates back to the spread of the Ayurveda health discipline, which has been around for about 3,000 years, but the researchers from the aforementioned JAMA study agree that this is a topic that deserves closer scrutiny as well as longitudinal studies. What we currently know about music therapy does not provide a full understanding of how it works; nonetheless, behavioral scientists have devised a few therapeutic approaches in this regard. Let’s look at a few of these music therapy techniques:
Behavioral and Cognitive Music Therapy
There is no single structure for this therapeutic methodology, so patients may dance, play instruments, or sing. The goal is for therapists to identify whether patients receive behavioral reinforcement or modification. The cognitive aspect of this therapy means that patients will get to learn about themselves and how mental health can be improved through making adjustments in their lives.
The Benenzon Model
Developed by Dr. Rolando Benenzon in the mid-1960s, this respected model of music therapy involves patients playing instruments during mental health counseling sessions. Analytical music therapy is another approach in which patients express themselves with instruments.
Treatments Beyond Music Therapy
Not everyone who receives music or sound therapy will experience life-changing effects. For various reasons, some patients may not respond positively to music therapy in counseling, and this may be a time when it makes sense to inquire about ketamine therapy. VIP Ketamine Clinics offers free consultations to individuals who have questions about ketamine and whether they are good candidates for this innovative approach to mental health therapy. If you would like to learn more, we invite you to contact our office today.
Contact VIP Ketamine Clinics
If you are curious about ketamine and want to find out if you’re a candidate, please reach out to us using the brief form below! We are happy to answer your questions and point you in the direction of health and hope.