If you’ve ever wondered, “What exactly does a music therapist do?”—you’re not alone.
At Wellness Counseling Services, we hear this question all the time. And it makes sense—most people assume music therapy is just listening to music or casually playing instruments.
In reality, music therapy is a structured, evidence-based clinical practice that can be just as powerful as traditional talk therapy—sometimes even more so.
Music Therapy Is Therapy—Music Is the Tool
At its core, music therapy is similar to traditional psychotherapy.
A trained, board-certified music therapist works collaboratively with you to:
- Identify goals
- Address mental health challenges
- Build insight and emotional awareness
The difference is how we get there.
Instead of relying only on conversation, music therapy uses evidence-based musical experiences to deepen the therapeutic process—making it more engaging, expressive, and often more effective.
At Wellness Counseling Services, we often describe it as:
An enhanced form of therapy where music helps access emotions, experiences, and insights that words alone may not reach.
Do You Need Musical Talent? Not At All.
One of the biggest misconceptions about music therapy is that you need to be “good at music.”
You don’t.
You don’t need to:
- Play an instrument
- Sing well
- Have any musical background
All you need is a willingness to engage.
Music therapy is not about performance—it’s about:
- Self-expression
- Emotional processing
- Connection and discovery
If instruments are used, they’re designed to be accessible. The therapist provides the musical structure and guidance, so you can focus entirely on the experience.
What Happens in a Music Therapy Session?
Music therapy is highly individualized, but sessions typically follow a consistent structure to create safety and predictability.
Initial Sessions: Assessment & Goal Setting
Early on, your therapist will:
- Conduct an assessment
- Identify your strengths and challenges
- Develop a personalized treatment plan
A Typical Session Might Look Like:
1. Check-In
You and your therapist discuss your current emotional state.
2. Music-Based Experience
Depending on your goals, this could include:
- Songwriting
- Improvisation
- Lyric analysis
- Group drumming or singing
- Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)
- Mindful music listening
Some approaches are active (you’re creating music), while others are more reflective (you’re listening and processing internally).
3. Verbal Processing
After the music experience, your therapist helps you connect what came up to your thoughts, emotions, and real-life experiences.
Real Client Example: Building Confidence Through Music
At Wellness Counseling Services, we’ve seen firsthand how powerful music therapy can be.
One adult client diagnosed with ASD came into therapy feeling depressed and struggling with low self-esteem.
She had a natural strength in songwriting—so we used that as an entry point.
Together, we:
- Identified her personal strengths
- Turned them into song lyrics
- Created a melody and structure
- Performed the song together
By the end of the session, her energy had completely shifted.
She left feeling:
- More confident
- More empowered
- More connected to herself
Even more importantly, she continued using that song outside of sessions as a tool for self-confidence and emotional regulation.
A Surprising Outcome: Music Therapy and Anxiety Reduction
In a clinical setting, we also explored a music-based virtual reality intervention designed to reduce anxiety.
One client in his late 60s, living with schizophrenia and anxiety, often struggled in group settings—his anxiety showed up as outbursts and difficulty regulating behavior.
After engaging in a guided music-based VR experience:
- His outbursts significantly decreased
- His overall demeanor became calmer
- He actively sought out the experience again
This highlights something essential:
Music therapy doesn’t just work—it often becomes something clients genuinely look forward to, which increases engagement and results.
What Can Music Therapy Help With?
Music therapy is used across a wide range of mental health and medical contexts.
Trauma
Music allows clients to process experiences without needing to verbalize everything, reducing the risk of re-traumatization.
Anxiety
Research shows music can reduce cortisol, helping regulate the body’s stress response.
Depression
Music can increase dopamine, supporting improved mood and motivation.
Communication Challenges
For individuals who struggle to express themselves verbally, music offers an alternative pathway for expression and relief.
Neurological Conditions
Approaches like Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) can support:
- Stroke recovery
- Parkinson’s disease
- Traumatic brain injury
- Autism
For example, rhythmic techniques can help restore motor coordination and movement.
Pain Management
Music therapy can:
- Reduce perceived pain
- Decrease muscle tension
- Lower reliance on medication
Why Is Music So Effective?
Music activates multiple areas of the brain at once—more than most other experiences.
This “broad activation” allows music to:
- Unlock memories
- Evoke deep emotional responses
- Strengthen neural connections
It also:
- Increases dopamine (linked to pleasure and motivation)
- Decreases cortisol (linked to stress)
Because of this, music can often access emotional material that feels difficult—or even impossible—to reach through words alone.
Who Is Music Therapy For?
Music therapy can benefit:
- Children and teens
- Adults
- Older adults
- Neurodivergent individuals
- Creative individuals
- People who feel stuck in traditional talk therapy
It’s especially helpful for those who think:
“I know what I’m feeling—I just can’t explain it.”
A Holistic, Collaborative Approach to Care
At Wellness Counseling Services, music therapy is integrated into a broader, holistic model of care.
Our clinicians are trained not only in music therapy, but also in psychotherapy approaches such as:
- DBT
- Positive Psychotherapy
- Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)
- Jungian and analytical frameworks
Music therapists often collaborate with:
- Psychotherapists
- Social workers
- Psychiatrists
Sometimes, what emerges in a music therapy session reveals insights that don’t surface elsewhere—making it a powerful complement to traditional therapy.
You can learn more about our approach on our Creative Arts Therapy page and meet our team on our Therapists page.
Music Therapy in New York City: A Different Path to Healing
For many people in New York City, music therapy offers something different:
- A break from purely verbal therapy
- A more engaging, creative experience
- A deeper way to process emotions
At Wellness Counseling Services, clients often choose music therapy because they want a more holistic and expressive approach to healing.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re curious about music therapy, the best way to understand it is to experience it.
You don’t need musical experience—just openness.
Book a consultation here:
Book now
Healing doesn’t always start with words.
Sometimes, it starts with music.