You don’t see this program everywhere. So, when it is seen, it’s jaw-dropping how well it works for so many.

Music Therapy.

Coming from someone who has studied and participated in music programs since she was in seventh grade, it’s truly amazing how well music can help someone. Whether it helps with anger issues, depression, anxiety…it helps in ways that many people wouldn’t consider possible.

I read an article recently where a woman was awake during brain surgery! And you know what she was doing? Playing the flute. Truly amazing, right?!

Anna Henry suffered from an essential tremor, a movement disorder that causes your hands to shake. As the tremor got stronger, Anna stated that it started affecting her flute playing. As a result, she had a surgical procedure done called deep brain stimulation to cure the tremor.

“The result was like flipping a switch,” stated Henry’s neurologist, Mya Scheiss, M.D.

I interviewed a flute friend of mine, Corey Barta, who is currently in grad school at Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas studying Music Therapy. I asked her a few questions in relation to the studies and benefits of music in therapy. Her answers blew me away.

Here’s my interview:

1. Why do you feel Music Therapy is needed? Great Question that we get all the time. “If the facility’s physical therapist and you have the same goals, what’s the point of having an MT?” It’s true that MTs often share similar goals when treating the same client, but the way we achieve those goals are different. For example, say a patient comes to a hospital who suffered multiple injuries from a car wreck. He has a sprained arm and a head injury. After assessing the patient, the PT will use their knowledge of anatomy to plan appropriate stretches and goals for the amount of time they have with the patient. (One goal would be to regain basic function in the sprained arm). They will use stretching, exercise equipment, and toys to achieve these goals. A MT assesses the same patient, and addressing the sprained arm ends up being a goal. Except for the MT, she can use music to add another level of stimulation, aside from basic stretching and physical exercises. An MT would figure out the patient’s favorite music, and engage him cognitively, as well as physically. In short, MT addresses more goals in patients than standard therapies can offer. This is just one example.
2. Why did you choose this career path?
   My choice to study MT has not always been in the forefront. When I was 18, I took a year off school and didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I just knew I loved music, and I loved playing the flute, so I wanted to pursue music in some way. I already knew I didn’t want to teach because I’m not an 8-5 job kind of person. That summer I worked odd jobs and tried to make it without school. I learned about MT from waitressing at a restaurant. A customer brought it up in conversation. That, I’d say, was the initial spark, but there wasn’t a lot of advertising or information about MT at the time. It seemed like some kind of new age thing that wasn’t really available. Dr. Jennifer Amox (professor at HSU) ended up offering me a scholarship if I auditioned at Henderson. I agreed because I liked the school and the people so much. Initially, I was a Music Education major. Once I started the upper level marching band methods class…I just knew it wasn’t for me. I definitely did not want to be a band director. So, I changed my major to music performance. I had always gone back to thinking about MT. After researching schools, sitting in on MT sessions, and watching videos, I was hooked. I think it really had to do with what goals I had for myself. I wanted to help people in a big way, and since music helped me through some of the hardest time I have had, I felt the need to study that and try to help others using music.
3. What do you find to be the most interesting part of the program itself?
   The most interesting part of the program is becoming as diverse of a musician as I can possibly be. Being a MT means working with all kinds of different clients and accepting people where they are. If they are agitated, let them be agitated and talk about it. If they are tired, try to relax them and even help them fall asleep. They may be the same religion as you are, but you still have to respect and play their music if requested. You also have to align with their music preferences, regardless of whether you personally enjoy it. Their music preferences also extend to which instrument they prefer. Some people like flute music, others don’t. Some people love guitar! Some think it’s too loud and intrusive. Being flexible on many instruments is a must, as well as being able to read and play music on the spot or improvise in a key that’s comfortable for your client. It’s so many aspects that are balanced in one moment. This is something we discuss a lot in classes, but difficult to really understand until you’re in that moment with your client. That’s why I’ve loved the one on one experiences I’ve had with each client.
4. What studies have you read recently that you find most interesting?
   Studies on vibro-acoustic therapy- the theory of how vibrations effect things on a subatomic levelAnd community music therapy (CoMT)- the use of music therapy in a community setting (homelessness, foster care, social work, LGBTQ+ advocacy, etc.)
5. What do you believe to be the most important thing to know about Music Therapy?
   The most important things to know about music therapy is that it’s WAY more than just singing and playing (entertaining) a client. The definition is very specific but very important when distinguishing and fighting for our jobs in the workplace. It’s an on-going process led by a MT in which the client is assessed, short and long-term goals are planned, and the relationship between the therapist, client, and music brings about understanding and change (in a nutshell). We are NOT entertainers. We do NOT just sit with clients and give them MP3 players or music to listen to without any goals.

You can tell from her answers that Music Therapy is so much more than just sitting there and playing an instrument for an hour or so. Your client becomes the most important in these moments and the goal is to help them progress towards full health, not to become a better musician. We become more advanced in these studies every single day and we progress more towards discoveries unknown that are the future of Music Therapy.