Music Therapy for Adolescents (Ages 13-18)

“She just doesn’t want to talk; she’s so down lately and I’m worried..”  “I don’t know what it will take to get through to him.” “He’s so angry and irritable--I don’t know what’s going on.” “I’ve taken all the electronics and privileges away but nothing seems to work.” “She wants nothing to do with us.” “We are trying to help but he looks at us as though we are the enemy.” “We argue all the time.”  

If you’re the parent of a teenager, you may have experienced these thoughts and feelings.  Parenting teens through the challenges of today’s world can feel daunting, confusing and overwhelming.  You have the best of intentions and it seems you’ve tried everything, yet there still exists an invisible barrier between you and your teen.  If you are feeling this way, you are not alone.  

Whether your teen’s behavior is overtly rebellious or more subtle and avoidant, these concerns stem from any number of deeper issues.  Growing up in a world where they have to navigate significant circumstances such as friendships, family conflict, academics, achievement expectations, socio-economics, social media, school violence, increased sexual pressures, trauma and even a global pandemic, it is no wonder many adolescents find it difficult to cope in healthy ways.  Unhealthy coping mechanisms can lead to increased anger/irritability, changes in behavior, trouble sleeping, neglecting responsibilities, unhealthy eating habits, and isolative or depressive moods. Caused by fear, anxiety, stress, depression, or something else, these types of behaviors are indirectly communicating something and impact not just the teen, but the entire family.  You know more help is needed, but where do you turn?  

While many find it effective and helpful, some teens express that traditional talk therapy can feel invasive and imposed.  Sometimes it can be difficult to build rapport and break down those tough exterior walls teens build in order to avoid the vulnerability that often drives those defensive and disruptive behaviors. This can be especially true if the teenager is uninterested or even resistant to receiving help.  You see, when we as adults ask teens to engage in therapy, we are asking them to enter our world.  Yet what many teens need and so desperately crave is someone to enter their world, to understand their feelings, to validate their experiences and give them a way to communicate their thoughts and emotions.    

Music therapy is one form of therapy that enables teens to naturally allow someone into their world.  It is an outlet that many adolescents find safe, non-invasive and even enjoyable. We’ve all experienced the power of music. It can motivate us when an inspiring song powers us through a difficult workout. Music can evoke memories, for example, when we hear a tune from our high school days as it instantly takes us back 30 years.  Or perhaps you’ve experienced the emotional effects of music when you hear the song that was played at your wedding, or when you simply need to listen to something soothing and calming to help you relax. Music also has the power to heal, teach, and express without words. Teens are seeking a way to communicate, and music is the universal language. While an often highly preferred intervention, music therapy should not be thought of as an “alternative” therapy; it is facilitated by a highly trained professional and is backed by research.   

When teenagers attend a music therapy session at Better Together Therapies, they will experience a safe, comfortable and non-threatening setting. They will naturally learn coping skills which are helpful in the moment, but can also be broadly generalized outside of the therapy room making it time and cost-effective.  As a board-certified music therapist, I will work with your teen using Therapeutic Music Experiences, or TMEs, tailored to their specific needs and goal areas.   

Because teenagers are developing their own strengths, preferences and identities, a number of therapeutic music approaches may be implemented depending on your teens preferences. The following are examples of TMEs which may be utilized to support your teen’s progress: 

• Lyric analysis uses live or recorded music to listen to song lyrics that can then be used to process thoughts, feelings or emotions. 
• Collaborative drumming activities can be used to develop therapeutic rapport, reduce loneliness and regulate the nervous system.  
• Music making exercises allow teens to express themselves non-verbally which in turn can increase self-esteem and social interaction.   
• Songwriting can activate parts of the brain associated with emotion processing and regulation.  
• Writing lyrics and putting those to music creates an alternative form of communication and allows for a healthy, creative outlet of emotions in a non-threatening way.  
• Listening to music encourages clients to practice calming mindfulness techniques which in turn can reduce stress and anxiety. 
• Instrument playing provides an important outlet to teens who are in need of creative, non-judgmental expression. 
• Progressive muscle relaxation exercises allow clients to locate and identify tension in their bodies, lower heart rate, re-regulate, reduce stress and develop skills which can in turn be utilized in any environment at any time.  

In summary, music is a highly effective and engaging form of therapy for all populations, but especially teens. The parallels between non-musical skills such as identifying emotions, managing stress, taming anxiety, expressing thoughts or feelings, and regulating the nervous system can be facilitated through music-based experiences.  Finally, because music is a universal language, teens easily identify with the therapeutic experiences whereby making music therapy a highly engaging, non-threatening, enjoyable and preferential form of therapy.