Although music therapy is still a relatively small field, has grown over the past 10 years. This practice helps people cope with a wide range of illnesses, including stress, chronic pain, limited mobility, and high blood pressure, and is practiced in a variety of settings, including psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, senior centers, and schools.
scientific research I started exploring why music has a huge impact on health and wellness, especially mental health. Music can act as a conduit to lift a person’s mood and help them reflect on and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
When she was 14 years old, Isobel’s anxiety treatment was completely different. At the time, she was seeing a psychiatrist. However, after she tried two different medications, she felt that “nothing really worked.”
She was starting to feel discouraged, but her doctor, who knew she loved playing guitar and writing songs, suggested she try music therapy.
For the past two years, she has visited Mount Sinai almost every week, despite her packed schedule as a senior at one of New York City’s most selective public high schools.
Isabelle, who asked to be referred to only by her first name to protect her privacy, is not currently taking any medication.
Singing, she explained, creates a space to release emotions that are difficult to explain.
Just listening to a song and interpreting its meaning “opens up so many things in my heart,” she added. She says, “I feel like I always draw a blank when people ask me, ‘What’s wrong?’ But her music therapy helps her become more introspective.”
