Music Therapy: The Best Way to Help Children with Mental Illness? Essay Sample

According to American music therapy Association (http://www.musictherapy.org), a music therapist has to hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in music therapy from one of American Music Therapy Association approved college. In addition, “within the last 10 years three schools have been established to train and certify musicians to play therapeutic music at the bedside for patients in hospitals and other clinical institutions” (Richards, Johnson, Sparks & Emerson, 2007, p.7). Even though music therapy seems unprofessional and not related to medical therapy in the way that it is using music to treat children, music therapy is prescribed by doctors and music is carefully selected by trained music therapists. “Music therapists are most likely to be located in settings that normally employ other members of the helping professions such a physicians, clinical psychologists, social workers, and rehabilitation specialists” (Richard M. Graham, 1982, p.71).

Another huge advantage of music therapy is that it is risk free. When common sense precautions are considered, “music is quite safe” (Kemper & Danhauer, 2005, p.286). Music therapists are expected to “translate medical, psychological, or educational prescriptions for any group or individual into musical experiences” (Graham, 1982, p.72). Unlike popular misconception about music therapy, the treatment is organized, professional, and effective.

The treatment that music therapy can give is based on the basic idea that human being has intrinsic character of response to music. Regardless of physical and emotional disability, illnesses and incompetence in action, people naturally respond to what they hear. Many music therapists believed that to make the best results in the cure of certain disability or illnesses of a patient, the patient and his own therapists should make a good communication through music. This communication through music particularly points to rhythm of the heartbeat and spoken voice (Feigh, 2006, p. 48).

Lefevre (2004) claims that “children, generally, formulate and communicate much of their experience, thoughts and feelings at a symbolic level, thus anyone working directly with children needs to appreciate such communication and respond in the same mode” (p.342). Music therapists approach children with music, which is symbolic and non-verbal. “Supporting children to understand, express, manage and communicate their ideas, views and feelings is a vital ingredient of investigation, assessment, decision-making and therapeutic interventions” (Lefevre, 2004, p333). Also due to its low cost and ease of administration, music therapy can be easily accessed by patients of any social class (Richards, Johnson, Sparks & Emerson, 2007, p 13).

According to Doron (1944), one of the special advantages of music as a therapeutic device is that it takes up where medicine leaves off (p.409). After a long treatment with drugs, a child’s body will be very weak, vulnerable, and may be on chemical dependency to the prescribed drug. When stopped taking drug, music therapy would be the best treatment, since it does not harm the body and psychologically soothe the patient.

Admittedly, drugs have more direct effects on children’s bodies when treating. Critics of this proposal point out those drugs are more effective and because results of drug treatment are accurate and works for everyone, it is a better treatment. However, medical treatment is not only about maximizing the result, but also minimizing the risk that comes with it. For example, antipsychotic drug, which is prescribed to autistic children, have notorious side effects. According to the website of National Institute of Mental Health,

References

American Music Therapy Association. (Year, Month, Day).Title.Retrieved Month Day, Year, from (http://www.musictherapy.org)

Graham M. Richard (1982). Music TherapistMusic Educators Journal, Vol.69 pp71-72

Kemper, Kathi J. and Suanne C. Danhauer (2005). Music as TherapySouthern Medical

vol. 334 Issue 7603, p1069-1070

National Institute of Mental Health. (Year, Month Day).Title.Retrieved Month Day, Year,

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Pavlicevic, M. (1997).Music Therapy in Context Music, Meaning and Relationship.London: Jessica Kingsley