According to the American Music Therapy Association, Music Therapy is the prescribed used of music to effect positive change in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals with health or educational problems. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Furthermore, Music therapy has proven to be an effective and enjoyable form of Expressive Arts Therapy for adolescents suffering from a wide range of problems.
While most of the current research focuses on Music Therapy as the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions by credentialed Music Therapy professionals, one does not need to be a credentialed Music Therapist to incorporate music techniques into their practice with adolescents. I have found there to be significant support for the use of music as an expressive arts tool that can be used to build engagement, strengthen the therapeutic alliance, facilitate communication, and supplement other therapeutic interventions targeted at prominent adolescent problems. Given the integral role music plays in adolescent sub-culture and that school is where they spend the majority of their time during this developmental critical period, it seems a well-suited venue to be utilizing such a relevant and powerful form of communication and expression.