Music and therapy

[LucyLou]

Music is a big thing for me....my therapist knows this too.
I can't always say how I'm feeling etc, so I've had this idea to send her a bunch of relatable lyrics from one of my fave singers (skydxddy - she's a survivor that makes music for survivors and I recommend!) I think it'd be good but at the same time, it's such a private thing, isn't it and I don't know if sending would be too much? Or if it's a good idea. I mean once it's written out, I would probably share on here....but sending to therapist is different. Have any of you guys done this type of thing? I don't have a session now until 16th, as she's away next week, so I have time and maybe she'd find it helpful too?

 

[arfie]

passion alert! ! ! i am a HUGE believer in music therapy. i opine that you are on a hot track, lucylou. do that do, my darling you.

"music therapy" is one of those psych terms which has changed radically since the 60's when i was introduced to music to address a severe childhood speech defect. talking was harder than hard for me, but i could always sing. i was taught to sing what i needed to say, then modulate my tones to mimic speech tones. when i entered psychotherapy in the 70's, the musical precedents of my speech therapy morphed with natural ease into my psychotherapy toolbox. this form of music therapy was accomplished with musical instruments, with voice being the most complex instrument in the orchestra, while reserving the right to turn a countertop into a musical instrument.

somewhere in the 80's, music therapy started to mean listening to music. electronic devices required. i love listening to music, but in my own case, listening is entirely too passive for effective therapy. my psychotherapy is not a spectator sport.

stepping down off my soapbox and handing the mic back to you. . .
i hope you will keep us posted on your progress.

for what it's worth
i hold that singing, humming and whistling are breathing exercises.
breathing with you. . .
deep, cleansing breaths. . .

 

[Friday]

Music is a big thing for me....my therapist knows this too.
I can't always say how I'm feeling etc, so I've had this idea to send her a bunch of relatable lyrics from one of my fave singers (skydxddy - she's a survivor that makes music for survivors and I recommend!) I think it'd be good but at the same time, it's such a private thing, isn't it and I don't know if sending would be too much? Or if it's a good idea. I mean once it's written out, I would probably share on here....but sending to therapist is different. Have any of you guys done this type of thing? I don't have a session now until 16th, as she's away next week, so I have time and maybe she'd find it helpful too?

Oh, it’s a TOTAL PTSD hack. Good trauma therapists? Are very dialed into it. My T’s almost never ask me what I’m feeling, they ask me for my playlist, instead.

 

[Sues]

I love skydxddy too! I don't send lyrics or music to my therapist. I write stuff. It's so hard for me to say the words to talk about any of it, but it's much easier to write it out. I also use writing as a way to deal with all the bad stuff. I'll send my therapist stuff I've written or even just an email talking about what happened and what I'm going through or want to work on next. I've also typed notes out and handed them to him so I don't have to read them or say them out loud. It helps a lot.