Music Therapy at Iris Healing
Music therapy represents a unique and powerful approach to healing that addresses the whole person—mind, body, emotions, and spirit. Unlike treatments that focus on isolated aspects of wellness, music therapy simultaneously engages physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs, creating a comprehensive therapeutic experience that resonates deeply with clients at every stage of their recovery journey.
A Holistic Approach to Healing
At Iris Healing, our trained music therapy experts work with individuals struggling with a wide range of challenges including anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Through the therapeutic use of music, clients discover new pathways to emotional expression, stress relief, and personal growth that complement and enhance their overall treatment experience.
The beauty of music therapy lies in its accessibility and adaptability. You don’t need any prior musical experience, training, or talent to benefit fully from music therapy. Whether you’ve never touched an instrument or have years of musical background, our therapists create experiences tailored specifically to your comfort level, preferences, and therapeutic goals.
Creative and Receptive Approaches
Music therapy encompasses both creative and receptive modalities, allowing us to customize your experience based on what resonates most with you:
Creative Music Therapy involves actively making music through activities such as:
- Playing instruments (percussion, keyboard, guitar, and more)
- Singing familiar songs or original compositions
- Songwriting to express personal experiences and emotions
- Drumming circles that build community and release tension
- Musical improvisation that encourages spontaneity and self-expression
Receptive Music Therapy focuses on listening and experiencing music through:
- Guided imagery with music to promote relaxation and insight
- Music-assisted relaxation to reduce anxiety and stress
- Lyric analysis to explore meaningful themes and emotions
- Mindful listening practices that enhance present-moment awareness
Many clients benefit from a combination of both approaches, and our therapists work collaboratively with you to discover which methods best support your healing journey.
Integration with Comprehensive Treatment
Music therapy at Iris Healing is integrated seamlessly into our holistic treatment approach, complementing other evidence-based therapies such as CBT, DBT, individual counseling, and group therapy. The skills and insights gained through music therapy enhance the overall therapeutic process, providing clients with additional tools for managing symptoms, expressing emotions, and maintaining wellness.
What makes music therapy particularly valuable is its portability—the coping strategies, self-expression techniques, and emotional regulation skills you develop through music therapy stay with you long after you leave our program. Whether it’s creating playlists that support your mood, using breathing techniques learned through singing, or simply recognizing music as a healthy outlet for emotions, these tools become part of your ongoing recovery toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any musical talent or experience to participate in music therapy?
Absolutely not. Music therapy is designed to be accessible and beneficial for everyone, regardless of musical background, talent, or experience. You don’t need to be able to read music, play an instrument, sing well, or have any prior musical training. Our trained music therapists create experiences that match your exact comfort level and abilities. Whether you’ve never touched an instrument or have years of musical experience, the therapeutic benefits come from the process of engaging with music, not from your level of skill. Many clients who initially feel hesitant discover that music therapy becomes one of their most valued therapeutic experiences.
What does a typical music therapy session look like?
Music therapy sessions are personalized based on your needs, goals, and preferences, so no two sessions are exactly alike. A session might begin with check-in and goal-setting, then move into active music-making (such as playing instruments, drumming, or singing), receptive activities (like guided imagery with music or lyric discussion), or creative work (like songwriting or improvisation). Sessions can be individual or group-based. Your music therapist adapts the structure and activities to support your therapeutic goals that day—whether that’s processing difficult emotions, reducing anxiety, building social connections, or exploring personal insights. Sessions typically last 45-60 minutes and occur regularly as part of your comprehensive treatment plan.
How is music therapy different from just listening to music on my own?
While listening to music independently can certainly be beneficial, music therapy involves working with a trained, credentialed therapist who uses specific clinical techniques to address therapeutic goals. Music therapists assess your needs, design interventions targeting specific outcomes, facilitate experiences that promote healing and growth, process the emotional and psychological content that emerges, and integrate music therapy with your overall treatment plan. The therapist’s guidance helps you engage with music in deeper, more intentional ways than casual listening, creating opportunities for insights and breakthroughs that might not occur otherwise. Additionally, music therapy teaches you specific skills and techniques you can use independently after treatment.
Can music therapy help with specific conditions like PTSD, addiction, or anxiety?
Yes, music therapy has demonstrated effectiveness for a wide range of mental health and substance use conditions. For PTSD and trauma, music therapy provides non-verbal ways to process traumatic experiences, reduces hyperarousal symptoms, and helps rebuild sense of safety and control. For addiction and substance use disorders, it offers healthy coping mechanisms, reduces cravings and stress, addresses underlying emotional pain, and supports relapse prevention. For anxiety and depression, music therapy decreases physiological anxiety symptoms, improves mood regulation, counters negative thought patterns, and increases feelings of hope and motivation. Research supports music therapy’s effectiveness across numerous conditions, and our therapists have specialized training in applying music therapy techniques to addiction and mental health treatment.
Will I be forced to perform or share my music with others?
Never. Music therapy is a safe, non-judgmental space where you maintain complete control over your level of participation and sharing. All activities are voluntary, and you’re never pressured to perform, share your creations, or participate in ways that feel uncomfortable. Some clients prefer private individual sessions where everything remains confidential between them and their therapist. Others find value in group music therapy but may choose to participate without sharing their personal creations. As you build comfort and trust, you may naturally feel more open to sharing, but this always happens at your own pace. The goal is therapeutic benefit, not musical performance, and your therapist respects your boundaries throughout the process.
How can I continue using music therapy techniques after I leave treatment?
One of music therapy’s greatest strengths is its portability—the skills you learn become tools you carry with you for life. Before completing treatment, your music therapist will work with you to develop a personalized music wellness plan. This might include creating playlists organized by mood or situation (calming music for anxiety, energizing music for depression, grounding music for triggers), learning simple instrument techniques you can practice at home (like hand drumming for stress release), developing songwriting practices for emotional expression and processing, using breathing techniques learned through singing for anxiety management, and identifying community resources like drumming circles or singing groups. Many clients report that music becomes one of their most reliable and accessible coping tools in ongoing recovery, providing healthy emotional outlet, stress relief, and connection to their therapeutic journey.
