How Does Music Therapy for Anxiety Work?
Music Therapy is a useful tool for reducing the symptoms of anxiety and for exploring, processing, and re-framing the causes of anxiety. Certain types of music help anxiety by reducing blood pressure, decreasing levels of stress hormones, and clearing the mind of stressful thoughts with the calming sounds. Music therapists can use these musical properties to gently work with any trauma or stressor causing the anxiety. The music therapist will support the client in their music, and verbally, to understand more about themselves. Over time, being with people in a music therapy session, being able to share personal stories, feel less isolated, grow in confidence with others, and coming together with in music can help reduce anxiety.
A study of University undergraduates [1] found that 20 students with anxiety experienced a reduction in anxiety immediately after the music therapy sessions, and after a two-month follow-up. This experimental group expressed that they experienced more positive changes, including more pleasure, relaxation, and confidence, and fewer negative emotions.
Shwu Ming WU. EFFECTS OF MUSIC THERAPY ON ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND SELF-ESTEEM OF UNDERGRADUATES (jst.go.jp)
What do Music Therapy Sessions look like at Soundwell?
We recognise that coming to a new place and starting music therapy can be daunting and anxiety-provoking. Music Therapists can help each person identify what might ease their path into Soundwell sessions. For some this might be a text reminder the day before, being met in the street before the session, a couple of meetings before the group begins, or being able to sit by a door. Once in the room, people are encouraged to take things at a pace that feels as comfortable as possible. It’s possible to sit and listen during all or part of the session and there is no right or wrong note. The emphasis is on using the instruments and the sounds they make, for immersion, away from the stresses of the mind, and for expression. Music Therapists can use a repeated structure in the session, with a familiar beginning and ending, to help with familiarity and security in the space. Calming music for anxiety can be repetitive, rhythmic, peaceful and gentle, which may bring blood pressure down and reduce adrenaline and cortisol levels in the body.
Once anxiety levels have decreased enough, and when the person is ready, the music therapists can begin to help explore underlying causes of the anxiety and support the processing of any emotions around this, using the instruments, music and words. This process can happen in a contained 20 week group space, or occasionally in individual sessions. For people who are interested in singing and using their voice to relieve stress and anxiety, we can offer the Soundwell Singing Group for Wellbeing.
Some client feedback
”Peaceful, ….. lost in the music and not thinking about anything else”
”very relaxing, encouraging and releasing!”
”Sometimes calming and relaxing – even hypnotic. Sometimes quite exciting. I go home feeling that I did something different today”
”I love coming to the group. I feel that during this time, my worries take a back seat and my head is full of singing. I feel relaxed and motivated.”
‘’(before) I felt internally enflamed with anxiety.. Playing different instruments and listening to others made me feel less uncomfortable and I went home feeling inspired. I did feel a shift in happiness and encouragement. Speaking to the group about how I was feeling was hugely beneficial…. It’s helped me to feel excited and joyful again. I felt an encouragement to try new things and speak in front of people.
How Soundwell Continues to Support
As people’s recovery journey progresses, it’s possible to move between Soundwell groups, e.g. from a more intensive weekly group or 1-1 sessions, to the Open Group or the Singing group. There is opportunity at all stages of engagement with Soundwell for signposting to other activities and courses, job coaches and support into volunteering or employment. Some clients that move on may choose to become Soundwell Consultants, advising us on ways to improve services.