Different Types of Teen Music Therapy in Los Angeles

The American Music Therapy Association approves different types of teen music therapy methods that can be adapted as alternative or standalone modalities for mental disorders treatments. Teen Music therapy interventions can promote wellness, alleviate pain, enhance memory, manage stress, express feelings, promote physical rehabilitation, and improve communication. 

If your teen needs an approved type of music therapy in Los Angeles, Key Healthcare offers an advanced music therapy program incorporating several evidence-based techniques to help teens in Los Angeles and its environs enhance their mental well-being and quality of life. We have a team of board-certified music therapists committed to fostering a safe and nurturing environment to help teens express their emotions, develop social and coping skills, and explore therapeutic techniques. Allow your child to witness the healing properties of our music therapy program, which can be tailored to their unique needs.

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy for teens is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention that leverages the therapeutic relationship ability to lift moods to help teens achieve improved mental health or enhanced overall well-being. It can be tailored to address different mental, emotional, physical, social, and cognitive issues, including but not limited to traumatic brain injuries, mood disorders, autism spectrum disorder, teen anxiety disorders, mood disorders, developmental disabilities, substance abuse challenges, acute or chronic pain, and learning disabilities. 

Teens do not need any extensive musical skills or musical background in music-based interventions. Neurologic music therapy use in mental health treatment has increased because of its unique calming and healing properties. Before the music intervention begins, the music therapist talks to participants to learn more about their preferences, needs, and experiences for tailored treatment planning.

Types of Music Therapy in Los Angeles

Below are the common music therapy options in Los Angeles, complete with the strategies they employ and their potential benefits.  

Expressive Music Therapy

Expressive music therapy is a common approach in music therapy that combines music and creative expression to address a range of psychological, mental, social, and physical issues. During expressive music therapy sessions, the music therapists work with teens in individual and group settings to find the most effective type for emotional release, communication, and self-expression. If tailored to a teen’s needs, preferences, and treatment goals, this therapeutic approach can help increase treatment motivation, reduce stress, and enhance self-esteem and coping skill development.

Techniques and Approaches Used

Here are the most common techniques and approaches used during expressive music therapy: 

  • Songwriting– This technique involves writing/ composing lyrics, songs, or melodies conveying the client’s thoughts or emotions. It fosters introspection and self-discovery. 
  • Improvisation– This is one of the most used techniques in music therapy. It involves spontaneously creating music through instruments and/or the participant’s voice to promote emotional expression and alleviate stress. 
  • Body movements– Body movements such as rhythmic tapping or coordinated dances can increase endorphins, improving the participant’s sense of well-being. They also allow the physical expression of emotions. 
  • Musical Games and Activities– Musical games and activities like playing musical instruments foster emotional expression, teamwork, and social skill development.
  • Lyrical Analysis– Analyzing song lyrics (including resonating themes and emotional content) can help adolescents explore and understand their feelings.

Potential Benefits of Expressive Music Therapy

Neurologic music therapy fosters teen emotional expression, helping address conditions such as depression, trauma, and anxiety. Potential benefits include improved mood, reduced stress levels, enhanced self-esteem, better emotional regulation, improved communication skills, improved motor skills, increased self-awareness, development of healthy coping strategies, and enhanced memory and cognitive functions.

Receptive Music Therapy

Receptive music therapy heavily relies on listening.  The participant listens to live or recorded music, responding to the experience silently or through modalities such as dance and art. This type of music therapy is highly recommended for shy or introverted teens or those who prefer a passive treatment approach. Receptive music therapy is commonly administered to promote stimulation or relaxation, reduce anxiety, enhance mood, improve auditory skills, and facilitate memory. 

Common Receptive Music Therapy Approaches

The most common approaches used in receptive music therapy include music-assisted relaxation and GIM (guided imagery and music) therapy.

Music-Assisted Relaxation

Music-assisted relaxation therapy combines live or recorded music and relaxation exercises to generate a relaxation response (a deep relaxation state). It can enhance relaxation, improve mood, and reduce anxiety, stress, and tension.  MAR sessions begin with music selection (therapists mostly use soothing music with slow tempos or soft melodies) and creating a safe, comfortable environment that eliminates distractions. The therapist also guides the teens through different breathing exercises before the music begins to establish a relaxation foundation and promote breathing and body awareness.

Guided Imagery and Music Therapy

Guided Imagery and Music Therapy, also called the Bonny method, helps address several psychological and emotional challenges, including anxiety, depression, grief, work-related stress, psychosomatic conditions, relationship difficulties, substance abuse disorders, and life-limiting conditions. During a GIM session, the client listens to classical music in a relaxed state for 30-45 minutes as the therapist supports the imagery using non-directive approaches. The therapist acts as a facilitator and witness, accompanying the client in their imagery journey by listening to them describe experiences as they unfold.

Random trials on healthy adults participating in Bony method therapy have shown that repeated guided imagery and music therapy sessions can reduce cortisol levels and positively affect mood, alleviating stress.

Group Music Therapy for Teens

As the name suggests, group music therapy helps address teens’ social, physical, emotional, or cognitive needs within a group setting. Sessions are facilitated by a trained music therapist who guides participants through different musical activities and discussions, sets therapeutic goals, and ensures a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. This approach aims to help teens express their emotions and enhance their social skills, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Common activities and techniques used include singing, playing instruments, improvisation, songwriting, and discussions aimed at emotional exploration.

Benefits of Group Music Therapy

  • It fosters validation and a sense of belonging by allowing teens to share and relate to each other’s experiences. 
  • It enhances social skills development as regular interaction among teens fosters the development of skills such as conflict resolution, empathy, active listening, and communication. 
  • It fosters the development of a supportive teen community, which often extends beyond the treatment program. 
  • It allows teens to hold each other accountable for their progress and actions. 
  • It fosters personal growth and insight by exposing teens to diverse coping strategies and perspectives.

Choosing the Right Type of Music Therapy

It’s imperative to understand a teenager’s needs for music literacy when exploring the right music therapy option, which requires professional assessment best done in treatment facilities. At Key Healthcare, we ensure that teen treatment programs reflect their needs, preferences, and treatment goals. Here are a few strategies we often employ to determine the best music therapy option:

  • Comprehensive assessment- We perform in-depth assessments of teens’ emotional, cognitive, physical, and social functioning to establish their specific needs. Pairing them with the right therapy becomes easier afterward. 
  • Considering the teen’s individual preferences- We consider their musical preferences or interests and how comfortable they are with different techniques during treatment planning. For example, teens who prefer listening to music generally find receptive music therapy beneficial. 
  • Considering the teen’s clinical diagnoses- Certain conditions require specific therapeutic approaches for effective management. For example, improvisation, which falls under expressive music therapy, works best for depression. Therefore, we consider the teen’s clinically diagnosed conditions, if any, to determine an option that best addresses them. 
  • Considering the teen’s treatment goals and objectives- Choosing the right treatment approach is easy when we have clear treatment goals and objectives. We normally work with parents and teens to clarify treatment goals and objectives, which often include, among others, enhancing social skills, increasing self-expression, improving emotional regulation, and reducing stress and anxiety. For example, group music therapy will significantly benefit teens who wish to enhance their social skills.  
  • Cultural Sensitivity- We consider the teen’s cultural background and identity as well as any music-related cultural preferences to ensure that only techniques with appropriate music materials and activities are used.  

We follow a client-centered approach in our facilities, making your teen’s preferences and comfort level fundamental in figuring out the best music therapy techniques. Our therapists also draw from their clinical expertise and music therapy training when working with teens and their families to ensure that only the best techniques are used.

When is the Best Time to Start?

There is no ‘best’ time to begin music therapy as the healing properties of music can apply to all, regardless of age or situation. As far as we know, the best time for your teen to begin music therapy was yesterday; the second-best time is now. Feel free to visit our facilities and check out our services or book a free consultation

Here is a piece of advice. If you have young kids (3-7), try promoting their language development, early social skill formation, and creativity using music.  You can introduce them to simple musical activities that can help them explore their vocals or master basic rhythm. Encourage their cognitive development by incorporating music in their early learning activities or play sessions. You will notice a significant difference as they near and during their teen years.

Mental Health Problems in Los Angeles

Ranked third in youth mental illness prevalence, Los Angeles can benefit from holistic, evidence-based programs, such as music therapy, in combating the increasing number of teen mental health issues. Tailored music therapy plans, used alongside other therapeutic interventions, can help reduce the high rates of teen anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts experienced in the state. Here is a peek at the potential benefits teens in Los Angeles  stand to gain from increased adoption of this therapeutic technique:

Despite being an important developmental stage, adolescence often poses several challenges, some of which can be severe. While these challenges affect teens from all over the US, teens in Los Angeles are among the hardest hit. A 2023 study on the prevalence of youth mental health illness in the US ranked Los Angeles as one of the largest affected states, behind Kentucky, Idaho, and Nevada.

What, then, is the way forward?

Addressing Los Angeles ‘s teen mental health crisis requires several strategies, but most importantly, early intervention, which uses, among others, beneficial therapeutic interventions such as music therapy. Let’s look at Los Angeles’s different types of music therapy and how they can benefit teens. 

  • Improved relaxation 
  • Enhanced emotional exploration and regulation 
  • Reduced symptoms of anxiety or depression 
  • Reduced stress levels 
  • Improved social skills 
  • Enhanced formation of healthy coping skills 
  • Improved self-confidence 
  • Improved speaking/ language skills 
  • Enhanced mood regulation

Conclusion

Music therapy may be the missing ingredient in your teen’s life. Through techniques and activities such as improvisation, mindful music meditation, songwriting, music-associated relaxation, and structured music discussions (among others), options such as expressive, receptive, and group music therapies can help your teen improve their mental well-being, self-esteem, and overall quality of life. Reach out and let us walk the journey to improve your teen’s mental health together.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If your teen has a problem expressing emotions or suffers from a mental health disorder that may require a creative outlet, music therapy can help. Declining performance, signs of emotional struggles during communication or self-expression, and significant behavioral or emotional changes may also signify the need for music therapy.

Most importantly, music therapy services are not exclusively used to address clinical or mental health conditions; you can enroll your teen in our music therapy program for self-exploration or personal growth if they have a keen interest in music.

No. Music therapy can benefit people of all ages, from young children to older people. This therapeutic technique can be tailored to suit everybody’s unique needs, regardless of age.

Yes. You can pay for your child’s music therapy using insurance in Los Angeles . Find out your obligations and those of your insurer as per your coverage beforehand. Alternatively, verify your insurance with us to learn more about your coverage and its limits.

Music therapy sessions normally last 30-60 minutes, although therapists encourage clients to explore a few techniques at home between sessions, such as listening to therapeutic music. The duration of therapy can range from a few days to several months, depending on the client’s needs, treatment goals, and therapy progress.

Yes. Teenagers can participate in individual and group therapy sessions and reap the unique benefits of both approaches. Group therapy brings several teens together, fostering peer connection and support, social interaction, and social skills development. In contrast, individual therapy sessions use tailored approaches to address individualized goals and conditions such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. The choice to attend both or either of these sessions boils down to the teen’s therapeutic goals, specific needs, and preferences. However, they can also be combined to ensure comprehensive or holistic care.

The following strategies can help you prepare your teenager for their first music therapy session: 

  • Discussing music therapy, the techniques used, and its potential benefits. 
  • Discussing any concerns and answering questions they may have regarding music therapy
  • Discussing any treatment goals and encouraging them to have an open, non-judgmental attitude toward therapy
  • Ensuring that all the necessary forms or paperwork are complete
  • Drive them to the facility or make arrangements to ensure timely arrival. 
  • Helping them find the right attire/clothing for their first session. 
  • Paying attention to their needs before (and after) the session.

Yes. At Key Healthcare, we tailor our teen music therapy program to the teen’s needs, preferences, and treatment goals, which can include incorporating specialized techniques such as guided imagery and music therapy. Our music therapists also collaborate with other specialists where necessary for comprehensive, holistic care.

Techniques such as listening to music or active music-talking can arouse the same feeling as several illicit substances by activating the dopaminergic pathways, reducing cravings, and improving mood.  Listening to music can also help improve relaxation and decrease anxiety in teens with substance use disorders by calming the parasympathetic nervous system.

To actively participate in a teen’s music therapy session, parents should attend initial meetings with the music therapist to discuss treatment goals and needs, seek clarification about the therapy process and recommended support interventions, discuss any challenges/ progress with the therapist, encourage the teen to share their feelings and experiences regarding the sessions, attend recommended family therapy sessions and maintain open communication lines with the music therapist. It’s also important to incorporate music or related activities at home (with the therapist’s suggestion) and show interest in the teenager’s therapy experiences.

Music therapy programs in Los Angeles can be tailored to the teen’s preferences and needs. Teens who find attending physical treatment challenging can make plans with the facilities for remote music therapy. However, occasional visits to the for progress-taking and reinforcement may be necessary.

Yes. Facilities like Key Healthcare understand the importance of making treatment programs reflect teenagers’ cultural norms. Teens are treated using tailored therapy plans that consider their cultural beliefs and experiences, reflected in the choice of music and treatment techniques used.