Music Therapy

Music therapy is an experience-centred psychotherapeutic approach in which music is used as a non-verbal medium of creative expression. The following objectives and elements of music therapy are central:

• Promoting self-perception and how others perceive us
• Supporting people in accessing their own emotions and needs, and in expressing them
• Acquiring new practical skills
• Stabilisation

In music therapy, music is used specifically to restore and promote mental, physical and intellectual health. The term ‘music therapy’ encompasses a range of therapeutic approaches, including those based on depth psychology, behavioural therapy and learning theory, systemic therapy, anthroposophy and holistic-humanistic approaches.

In active music therapy, one’s own feelings can be conveyed on a non-verbal level – with the help of music, these can be made audible both to oneself and to the other person. Emotional expression is encouraged and access to intrapsychic conflicts is facilitated. The approach largely involves improvisation, in which the therapist also participates to support this process.

Receptive music therapy focuses on active listening and the absorption of vibrations. Through the intensive perception and experience of music, it promotes introspection and self-awareness.

In addition to the music, there is a reflective discussion about one’s own feelings triggered by the music. This strengthens the therapist–patient bond and harnesses the power of non-verbal communication.

Music therapy takes place in both one-to-one and group settings and involves both listening to music and actively making music oneself. The focus is on an expressive and playful approach to music, free from any pressure to perform. No previous musical experience is required to take part.