The Evolution of Music into Therapeutic Practice

 

Music therapy is a form of treatment in which therapy is performed through music. A duly qualified music therapist plays one or several instruments or simply sings for or with the client/patient. The origins of music as a means of healing are known for all cultures at all times in history, based both on superstition and experimentation. Let’s discuss more about music with Richard Hovan in this blog.

Psychological theories ascribe ability for healing to increased motility and expression of emotions, followed by catharsis. Physiological theories postulate that music causes change or stimulation of different systems in the body. By acting on heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, brain functions, and other systems, music liberates endorphins and other neurohormones. Music therapy consists of two general types: the first, active music therapy, applies techniques such as improvisation and songwriting; the second, receptive music therapy, employs lyric analysis and music listening. Music therapy is used to alleviate an enormous variety of illnesses and health problems, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, stroke, chronic pain, developmental disorders, and has been employed as a resource for abused and disadvantaged children.

Theoretical Frameworks of Music Therapy

Despite the countless advantages of listening to music for cognitive functions, many applications cannot be classified as music therapy. Music therapy is a relatively young vocation and academic course of study.

Beyond alleviating specific symptoms, music therapy is often adopted to assist individuals searching for healing and growth in the broader context of their treatment. Therapeutic techniques are numerous and diverse and include improvisation, lyric analysis, songwriting, or music listening. Four types of therapeutic is classified: psychological theories, physiological theories, music as therapy and implicit music therapy. Preference is always given to the application of music as a therapeutic factor, answering the question of how music evolved as a therapeutic practice.

Types of Music Therapy

Music therapy involves the use of music to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Numerous clinical methods and theories support the applications of music therapy in various categories of clinical practice. Two general methods or categories of music therapy are active and receptive. Active music therapy engages clients’ participation in the development of the music, while receptive methods center on the use of preexisting music.

During active music therapy, music therapists may incorporate improvisation, songwriting, and lyric analysis while receptive music therapy often involves music listening directed toward a specific therapeutic goal or objective. Specific plans for music therapy services benefit from comprehensive clinical assessment of clients, collection of pertinent clinical information, development of treatment goals and objectives, implementation of music-therapeutic interventions, and evaluation of clinical progress toward accomplishing established goals.

The Role of the Music Therapist

Music therapists must qualify as health practitioners, demonstrating competence, ethics, and integrity. While national music therapy societies typically arbitrate these aspects within their jurisdictions, the World Federation of Music Therapy offers International Music Therapy Practice Board services in countries lacking this structure.

Music Therapy (MT) employs music as a therapeutic medium, wherein the music therapist facilitates it in interactions with patients or clients.  Richard Hovan says that MT serves developmental functions, assists individuals with special needs, addresses trauma, and supports various brain disorders, promoting reconstruction, rehabilitation, compensation, or adaptation of functions. BMI Research notes that MT is used for mood enhancement, the reduction of anxiety and depression, and the facilitation of introspection.

Originally Posted At: https://richardhovan.wordpress.com/2025/08/04/evolution-of-music-into-therapeutic-practice-richard-hovan/