 Music is often used as a way for people to express, understand, and regulate complex
emotions. In mental health, when someone is going through a crisis or feeling
complicated emotions, utilizing creative arts such as music is a helpful way to process it
without having to talk about it. It can also be used to foster new coping skills, enhance
mood and motivate those to continue treatment.
 In a group setting, music can be used for building group support and to help develop a deeper understanding of those around you. Each session tends to have a theme. Examples of session themes include hope, change, forgiveness, self-image, etc. This provides structure for discussion as well as the activities involved during the session. These themes can also be carried into their
non-music therapy groups as some facilities utilize the same theme across groups.
What are some specific examples of how music is utilized in a mental health group?
 Lyric Analysis:
 Lyric analysis is an activity where the participants are given lyrics to a song. They then will
listen to the song either live or recorded and discuss the themes or what is related to
them.
 Songwriting/Re-writing:
 Songwriting, or rewriting, is an activity where participants are encouraged to write a song
based on themes with the assistance of a music therapist. This activity can take multiple
sessions and tends to be more effective in groups that are consistent with participants
over a long period of time. It also often takes time to build rapport and trust with the
therapist before this activity is attempted.
 A more simple and less daunting form of this is song rewriting. This is often paired with
lyric analysis as a way to personalize a song and deepen the meaning of it for the
individual. Essentially, the music therapist would have lyrics of the song with blanks or
lines for the participants to fill in or write their own version.
 This provides more structure than fully writing a song, as there is already a basis from the original. The music therapist will then encourage the participants to sing their song with the therapist or share with the group.
 Instrumental Improvisation:
 Instrumental improvisation is any type of instrumental play that is not to any specific song. These can and often do have some sort of structure or foundation that can be as
simple as one person keeping a beat on an instrument. Improvisation can be used to express emotions, process emotions, build group support, develop a new coping skill, or simply for enjoyment
 Wellness Playlists:
 Utilizing preferred music to create playlists based on your mood, identity, or a certain theme can be encouraging for those in mental health groups to continue to utilize music
as a coping skill outside the group. Additionally, this can encourage participants to
engage more often as they are working within their preferred music.
 When using this activity in group settings, there are a few ways this can be conducted.
One way would be that each person makes their own playlist, discusses the music and how it
made them feel or how it validates their current emotions.
 Another way is more involved in group settings, where everyone makes a playlist, but then chooses one song to share with the group. This fosters group cohesion and also builds tolerance towards others’ music choices.
 In both activities, the discussion of how music affects our mood or what we do in life is present. Thinking about how, why, where, when you use music and what purpose is
behind it can be used to strengthen the idea that music is a coping skill. Do you use music to validate or change your mood? Do you listen to music that reminds you of something, somewhere, someone?
 Music holds emotion and memory and often that comes up in this type of group. There are many more ways that music can be used for mental health groups settings. Focusing on a few to give a snapshot of what a powerful tool music can be in mental health settings. I encourage you to think about how you use music in daily life.
Linked below is our Healing Harmonies Wellness playlist. Please feel free to add a song or two. Any songthat brings you joy, makes you want to dance or uplifts you in any way.