Therapeutic Aproaches - Music Therapy
Music reaches places that words sometimes can’t.
That’s what makes it therapeutic
Music therapy is the evidence-based clinical use of music by a credentialed therapist to address emotional, cognitive, social, and physical needs. It is not passive listening — it is an active, purposeful therapeutic process that uses musical engagement to support healing and wellbeing.
What this can feel like
People drawn to music therapy often describe:
- Emotions they struggle to access or express verbally
- Anxiety or hyperarousal that softens in the presence of music
- A feeling of connection, expression, or release through musical engagement that other approaches have not provided
- Children or adolescents who engage more naturally through music and sound
- A history with music that makes it a meaningful therapeutic medium
Why this happens
Music is deeply tied to emotional processing and memory. It engages multiple brain systems simultaneously — including those involved in emotion, memory, movement, and language. This makes it a uniquely powerful therapeutic tool, particularly for people who find verbal expression difficult or for whom emotions are held at a somatic level.
How music therapy can help
Music therapy is used for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, autism spectrum support, dementia, chronic pain, and more. Sessions may involve:
- Improvised music-making with instruments
- Lyric analysis and songwriting
- Receptive listening and discussion
- Music and movement integration
- Vocal expression and toning
The musical activities are always in service of clinical goals defined by you and your therapist together.
How Ellie makes support more accessible
- Board-certified music therapists (MT-BC): Music therapy requires specific credentialing
- No musical ability required: The ability to make music matters, not skill or performance
- Available for a range of ages and presentations
- Availability varies by location: Reach out to ask what is offered near you
Frequently Asked Questions for Music Therapy
Not sure what to expect? These are the questions people ask us before they get started.
No. Music therapy requires only a willingness to engage. Playing skill, musical background, or ability to read music are not prerequisites.
No. Music therapy is used across the lifespan with children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Passive listening can be beneficial, but music therapy is a structured clinical process with therapeutic goals, led by a trained therapist who actively uses musical engagement to support those goals.
Anxiety, depression, trauma, autism spectrum support, grief, chronic pain, dementia, developmental challenges, and more.
Ellie accepts over 300 insurance plans, but coverage varies depending on your specific plan. If you are unsure, we recommend checking with your insurance provider before booking an appointment.