Effectiveness of Music Therapy - Annotated Bibliography Example

Effectiveness of Music Therapy

Barbara Roberts

Montclair State University

Psychological Research 203

Abstract

Music therapy refers to the use of music as an appendage to the therapy of relaxation. Music can also be used in psychotherapy with the aim of eliciting the expressions of emotions that are suppressed. This is achieved by prompting the patients to respond to the music by either shouting, dancing, laughing or crying. It is a non-verbal approach to music therapists that aims at achieving therapeutic goals in a therapeutic relation by a professional therapist and the patient.

Music therapy is employed in a therapeutic relationship with the aim of addressing physical, emotional, and cognitive and the social needs of the individuals. Music therapy has been proven effective to address several conditions. Professional music therapists identify the needs of each patient and provide treatment that may be in any form including dancing or even singing along. Through the engagement musically with the context of therapy, the abilities of the client are strengthened while being transferred to other areas of their lives. This paper seeks to assess the effectiveness of use of music therapy in the different areas where it can be employed.

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