Music Therapy in Psych?

[LatinGirl]

Has anyone had music therapy as part of treatment offered in their psych units? I work at a peds residential facility and have noticed that the kids tend to act out more towards the end of the day when there aren't any structured activities planned. I am trying to come up with some ideas to present to administration that will provide some structured activity for the kids and will also benefit them. I would love to hear your thoughts on how music therapy may help these kids or if you have any other ideas that work in your units I am open to suggestions. Thanks in advance.

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Music therapy combined with activity...like stretching exercises....as a means to help unwind have been known to be helpful at the end of the day.

[Katnip, RN]

Agreed. Gentle stretching, dance movement, all can be considered to be expressive therapy and often very helpful to those who cannot verbally express their feelings and emotions.

[TheSingingNurseNY]

hi, just wanted to add to the idea of using music with kids. kids really respond well to music. if you are working with young children, using hand motions with songs is very helpful for movement and expession. you can use music as a way to let children "get the wiggles out", use upbeat rhythmic songs with lots of drum and bass syncopation.

older children also love music. it can be a real lift to the spirit to dance or jump around. music can also be used to educate children about a vast amount of subjects, from learning their abc's to how to prevent ehrichiosis, babesiosis and lyme disease in "the tick song". i have lots of ideas about simple health lessons while using music. i have been working on a lesson book that goes with a cd i recorded. i have songs about handwashing, brushing teeth, germs, the dentist is a good guy, the audiologist, tick borne diseases, babies, and gods thought about us. its fun and upbeat.

dawn