I am delighted to be able to add to Music Works NW’s blog on one of my favorite subjects, besides chocolate. Yes, you’ve got it – it’s music therapy! One of the first questions I’m asked about music therapy is: “What is it?” I can see people’s minds working as they try to figure out how music and therapy go together. I’ve been asked if I sing to plants to help them grow. If that worked for me, I’d have the best garden around but my poor plants need a different kind of therapy.
Music therapy is the use of music as a tool or intervention to help people with social, cognitive, physical, emotional and wellness needs by a credentialed person who graduated from a music therapy program, did a 6 month internship, and took a board certification exam. I specialize in Neurologic Music Therapy which is the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunctions due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system.
Music is a true universal – people all over the world have music. At its core it has rhythm and a steady beat. Most everyone likes music but a person does not have to be a musician to respond to music therapy. Here’s a little homework assignment for now: the next time you are in the store, moving through the aisles, notice your response to the music on the PA system. Do you start to walk to the beat of the music? This is called entrainment. Your body hears the beat and moves to it. More on that later but for now, if you have any questions, please feel free to post them. I look forward to blogging with you more about music therapy at Music Works NW. Now, I have to go water my plants…
