Notes From Prague: Symposium on Music Therapy

NOTES FROM PRAGUE: A EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE

March 4, 2012

I ended my day at the EPA Congress with a symposium on music therapy. This is quickly emerging at a very fast pace. Scientists are undertaking more and more studies on the effects of music on the brain and the data are showing very positive effects. But, according to Dr Tucek, who discussed the anthropological aspects of music therapy, the music has to be geared to the individual and the moment.

Dr Seegerman discussed the effects of music on NSSI (non-suicidal self-injury). He presented some very interesting findings that indicate that contrary to what might seem intuitive, music does not lead to self-injury-even when the song speaks directly to self-injury; it actually works to prevent NSSI by providing a sort of safety net by making the adolescent feel less alienated.

Besides helping adolescents see that they are not alone, music provides affect regulation and anti-dissociation.