From when I was a child to now, I have always felt the need to listen to music for enjoyment. I didn’t know until I started researching, the effect that music can have on your attitude and how you work from an everyday standpoint. Different sound waves and musical notes can trigger different parts of your brain making you feel different types of ways. This is usually used for disability or rehabilitation treatments in which they have to feel content to be able to work with a therapist or life coach. This is just one example but i’ll be taking a deeper dive into what certain treatments can do.

Improvisation

Improvisation is a method typically used for non verbal or low functioning autism. It helps for these patients that can’t tell others how they feel to be able to express how they feel through clapping and humming. This allows these people to have a way to show feelings. It makes their emotions less physical and more emotional and could really help with someone who has severe anger issues.

In most cases of Improvisation, it is used to change emotions and control how patients feel. So if a certain emotion makes it hard for someone to function, they would listen to music to help make it easier for them.

Songwriting

Songwriting is a creative and expressive music therapy technique that helps individuals explore and process their emotions. Clients work with a therapist to write lyrics, choose melodies, and sometimes even record their own songs. This process can be deeply personal, allowing people to tell their stories, express difficult feelings, or commemorate important events. For individuals coping with trauma, depression, grief, or chronic illness, songwriting offers a safe and structured way to externalize what may be hard to verbalize directly.

Beyond emotional expression, songwriting can build self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. When clients create a song, they produce something tangible that represents their inner experiences. This can be empowering, especially for individuals who feel they have lost control over parts of their lives due to illness or trauma. Therapists often guide the process gently, using musical templates or prompts tailored to the client’s ability and comfort level.

In group settings, collaborative songwriting promotes connection and social support. For example, veterans or teenagers in group therapy might write a song together about resilience or hope. This not only builds community but also validates shared experiences, reducing feelings of isolation. Whether used individually or in groups, songwriting is a flexible and powerful tool that supports both emotional healing and personal growth.

Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS)

Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation is a neurologic music therapy technique used to improve movement and coordination, especially in individuals with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or traumatic brain injury. RAS works by using a steady rhythmic beat—usually from a metronome, drum, or music track—to help synchronize and improve walking patterns. The rhythm serves as an external cue, helping the brain and body coordinate more efficiently.

In practice, a therapist will assess the individual’s current walking pace and then introduce rhythmic cues that slightly enhance or stabilize that pace. Over time, this can lead to improved gait symmetry, balance, and walking speed. It’s especially useful for people who have difficulty initiating movement, such as those with Parkinson’s. Research has shown that RAS can lead to long-term improvements in motor control, reducing the risk of falls and increasing independence.

What makes RAS particularly effective is that music activates multiple areas of the brain, including those responsible for movement, timing, and emotion. The emotional connection to music also boosts motivation, making individuals more likely to engage in regular movement-based therapy. RAS sessions can be done with recorded music, live percussion, or digital rhythm tools, and they are often integrated into physical therapy programs for maximum benefit.