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Art
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Music
Using
Popular Music in Therapy
Children
these days lead a very difficult life. There are so many constant
stressors around them. It is very important for children to find
a way to express their emotions in an appropriate way.
In the past, activities
such as sports have been an important stress-relieving outlet
for teens, but more and more children are choosing not to participate
in such activities, or are being excluded because of their “troublesome”
behaviors.
It is so important
for these children to develop an appropriate outlet for the release
of their emotions and feelings, for if it does not happen, the
results can be catastrophic.
It is for
this reason that I have developed an approach that helps children
utilize popular music, something many of them already listen to,
as a coping skill.
How many of us look
back on our childhood memories and think of the times we sat alone
in our room, listening to our music. Ask teens how important their
music is to them and you will quickly realize that this is something
many of them spend a great deal of time doing.
Using popular music
in therapy allows you to start where your client is. Long ago,
I realized that children don’t like to talk to therapists.
They don’t like to talk about their feelings. I realized
that I would have to come up with some creative techniques if
I was going to reach them.
I then looked back
on my own life, and thought about the powerful connection that
I had with music. I began taking a stronger interest in the current
music scene. Many artists have very strong therapeutic messages
being conveyed in their songs. How many of us sing along to a
song without really thinking about what we are saying? I began
compiling a list of songs that I felt could be valuable therapeutic
resources.
I would begin my first
session by asking questions about what kind of music my clients
liked to listen to. I would then pick out a song from my list
that I thought was about an appropriate topic for my client, and
also a musical style that he or she would enjoy.
I could not believe
the strength of this rapport building technique! My clients were
impressed that I showed an interest in the songs they listened
to. We would talk about who were there favorite artists. We would
also talk about the messages my clients saw in the songs they
heard.
From here I would help
my clients to make better use of using music as a coping skill.
I would encourage them to be more aware of the connection between
music and our feelings. I would encourage them to use listening
to music as an outlet to express their feelings.
An example of a song
I would use often is Family Portrait, by the current popular artist
Pink. I feel this is a good song to use for children that enjoy
pop music, and are experiencing issues in their family. In “Family
Portrait”, Pink talks about when people look at a picture
of “her” family, everyone looks normal and happy.
But she knows that this is a great misconception, for the reality
is that her family is falling apart. Pink sings this song with
heart-felt emotion, making references to how she wants her family
to just hold together.
I have had much success
with this song in therapy as it is something the children can
truly relate to. Who doesn’t want to have the “perfect”
family? Hearing this song helps children realize that they are
not the only ones struggling with issues in the family.
This is just one example
of the countless powerful therapeutic messages present in music.
I encourage therapists to draw from their own music libraries,
thinking about songs that they have identified with, and using
them in therapy. My clients have given me many great suggestions
of music to use. Music can act as a great “door opener”
to your client’s issues. For example, playing a song about
child abuse for my clients has often led to a discussion about
their personal issues.
I hope you
have as much success with this activity as I have!
About
the Author...
Matthew J. Bush, MSW, LSW
Music Therapist
http://www.enterthefreudianslip.com/
Matthew J. Bush, MSW, LSW is the author of Utilizing Music as
a Coping Skill : Featuring the Music of Freudian Slip, which takes
a look at how popular music can be used to engage children and
adolescents in therapy. It also includes a compact disc featuring
14 tracks from Freudian Slip, the author’s “therapeutic
rock band”. The booklet takes an in-depth look at how these
songs can be used in therapy. Click
here for ordering, sound clips, and additional information!
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