Trauma Informed Music Therapy
“We have learned that trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body. This imprint has ongoing consequences for how the human organism manages to survive in the present.”
Bessel van der Kolk
The Body Keeps the Score
Trauma is the subjective experience of an event, or series of events, that overwhelms an individual’s capacity to cope. It can be physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional or spiritual well-being.
No matter how remote a traumatic event is, trauma is a present- moment experience inside a person’s nervous system. It is important to understand and normalize this delayed response for the client and their social support system.
Trauma informed music therapy uses music-based protocols to help clients access and express emotional trauma where other “Talk” or Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT) models are ineffective. Expressive arts therapies, like music therapy, use a different approach which is more ‘organic’ and frequently non- verbal, the intentional strategic use of music has an invaluable and impactful role. Where words may not be accessible or appropriate, it helps to release feelings, sensations and memories connected with traumatic experiences, providing a safe and supportive space in the process.
Working through trauma can be empowering , but is also a challenging journey for the individual. Ultimately, integrating traumatic experiences leads to building resilience, living in the present and liberates a flow of creative energy for a new life.