Music Therapy and Mental Health

Music therapy often works well for people with a range of mental health issues, including those with high and complex mental health needs.

People who might benefit include those struggling with mood, those finding it difficult to cope day to day,  people who have problems in relating with others and/or those who are surviving the effects of trauma.

Music therapy fits well with the Recovery Model approach in focusing on resources and strengths through creativity.

Music therapy can be of great benefit for the following:

• Increasing confidence

• Reducing isolation

• Improving motivation

• Enhancing a stronger sense of hope

• Reducing depression

• Managing anxiety

• Encouraging self-expression

• Stimulating creativity

• Improving communication

Music Therapy is a well-recognised and recommended therapy in mental health. It is included as one of the psychological therapies listed and recommended in the various NICE Guidelines for mental health:

“Consider offering arts therapies to all people with psychosis or schizophrenia, particularly for the alleviation of negative symptoms (p. 25, NICE guideline for Psychosis and Schizophrenia in Adults, updated 2014)”