Music as a Coping Skill

In my groups and sessions as a "lead" or solo therapist, I reference: "Music as a Coping Skill," fairly often. Now, to be more specific, I suppose it would be more correct to list the exact activity/experience being individually referenced in each instance (Instrumental music playing/practicing as a coping skill, writing music/lyrics as a coping skill, singing as a coping skill, etc.). I could even go a step further and describe more directly what is being practiced and/or promoted (Music listening as a leisure activity/distraction/for relaxation, group singing to promote increased socialization, group lyric writing to promote increased appropriate social behavior [through compromise, turn taking, etc.] Still, I like the blanket phrase "Music as a Coping Skill." It seems to explain what I am hoping to promote in one quick shot for my patients. Perhaps, because many of these patients have been in therapy for years (some in drug rehabs, some as part of their treatment for diagnoses like; bipolar disorder, schizophrenia - paranoid type, etc.) and due to this on going therapy they are familiar and comfortable with the phrase "Coping Skills." OR! Maybe, it's because music is my coping skill (number one anyway). I've always known this, but one way in which it became increasingly clear in the last year is when a co-worker pointed out to me:"I've noticed that when the unit is especially wacky/threatening/bordering on being out of control, or that the work load is massive, that you start humming or singing to yourself as you walk around the ward and complete tasks. That's how I know you're a music therapist." Now, she said it a bit more succinctly and much more poetically, if you will, but I tried to paraphrase her statement in a way that explained it clearly to someone who may be reading this without knowing much, if anything, about my work as a Music Therapist on the psychiatric rehabilitation team of a behavioral health unit here in southern California. We have 70 beds (and growing) of adult, acute psych patients and our office is located at the end of the hall, which houses the most actively threatening patients (either with an intent to harm others or themselves). It can be a very intense place BUT here's the kicker. Music has a big effect on these patients along with other arts/recreation therapy modalities. My music groups offer them many things that they feel are constantly being taken away from them. One example is CHOICE :) Many of these PEOPLE are in the middle of an event (or perhaps a series of events that has been continuing anywhere from days to years) of crisis in their lives. Acute, remember, means that these patients are in the hospital for about 5-7 days on average, so basically, just like ANYBODY else who has to go to the hospital, briefly. If you've ever had to go to the hospital you know it was probably a pretty big event in your life (Surgery, Birth of a Child, some type of traumatic event like a broken bone). I went to the hospital with stomach complications from antibiotics when I was in high school and I know I'll never forget those three days (Woken up all hours of the night, uncomfortable, on heavy meds). Anyhow, these patients are in the same situation except they may have a chemical imbalance in their brain or suffer from auditory hallucinations, which believe me ARE VERY REAL, which may make them more ill equipped to handle these extra stressors, not to mention the other types of stress in their lives, which may have led them into the ER/Behavioral Unit to begin with. Others, may be addicts who ended up on the behavioral unit due to making suicidal or bizarre statements (when high/drunk, to a cop, to their therapist, etc.). Regardless, of why they are in the hospital I do my best to let them know that a music therapy group is designed for their benefit and especially when doing big sing-a-long groups I let them know that I will do my very best to take their requests and/or play something as close to what they desire as I can. Being able to choose can be very empowering for someone who has been told what to do seemingly non-stop since their event began. A cop, a nurse, a doctor, a security guard, a relative, whoever, may have been telling the patient to sit here, calm down, be quiet, and for some of these people who don't work with psych patients or live with them everyday maybe some of the requests sounded more like orders. MAYBE some or all of these requests were for the patients benefit, but when you get all worked up and people try to tell you what you need to do you're not always in the best position to hear them, right? I know I don't take advice too well when I'm pissed off. I tend to get defensive and snap back responses in a reflexive manner. So something as simple as choosing a song and listening to that song can open some preliminary rapport with this patient. The song might help them relax (cope), smile (cope), forget about what's happening around them or where they are; both literally and figuratively (cope), and THEN, when the song is over an opportunity arises for me to try and engage the patients in conversation. What popped into your head that made you request that song? Why is that an important song for you? What are your connections/feelings toward the lyrics? How do you feel about the music itself...the tempo...the feel...the quality of the music (happy/sad/etc.)? Open ended questions like these can kick start an infinite variety of conversations relevant to what the patients are experiencing and how music can work as a coping skill in their everyday lives. Singing empowering lyrics like "I will survive," having a "Happy Place," song that you use like a mantra when feeling overwhelmed. There are many uses for music as a coping skill and I will continue to wax on this topic as long as I keep blogging and continue in this field, I'm sure. What's your "Happy Place," song? A song that always puts a smile on your face. If you were on "the couch," with Freud and he said he wanted you to close your eyes and go to your happy place...describe it....maybe you would describe a tropical beach and the sea salt air...maybe you would describe a cozy blanket next to a fire place in a Lake Tahoe cabin. What if he asked you what music was playing in your happy place? A Beethoven piano sonata? A Bob Marley song. Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy."? What is your "Happy Place," song? A song that you always sing in the car. A song that always makes you smile. A song that reminds you of your best friend, wedding, grandma, childhood, prom. It's a coping skill ;)