MUSIC THERAPY

Music as a pathway to insight and connection

Music has a unique way of touching the soul. From upbeat tunes that lift your spirits to soothing melodies that bring comfort during tough times, music has long been a tool for emotional expression and healing. At Dunham House, we take a holistic approach to mental health and take pride in integrating music therapy (MT) in our treatment program. We invite you to explore how music is growing in recognition as a self-empowering tool for growth and well-being.

– OVERVIEW –

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy at Dunham House is a clinical service facilitated by an accredited music therapist (MTA) that uses music therapeutically to support emotional exploration, regulation, insight, self-expression, and relational awareness within addiction and mental health treatment.

How sessions are structured

Sessions are offered in a group format and include both receptive and active music therapy experiences. These may involve listening and guided reflection, as well as music-making through movement, voice, song-sharing, and lyric exploration, alongside discussion of residents’ playlists, music histories, and verbal processing. Each session closes with a brief reflective takeaway, supporting residents in noticing how music influenced their experience and how it may be used intentionally for mental health and self-support.

– Why –

Why a trauma-informed, experiential approach matters

Because music is closely connected to identity, memory, and emotional experience, it offers a rich and accessible avenue for therapeutic exploration—particularly when words alone feel limited. From a trauma-informed perspective, music therapy emphasizes safety, choice, and pacing, encouraging residents to approach their internal experience with curiosity and without judgment.

When words feel limited, music offers another way in.

– GARDEN PROJECT –

The value of shared experience

The group setting offers a contained and supportive environment where residents can experience and move through emotions alongside others, fostering shared regulation, connection, and a sense of not being alone.

This process supports stabilization and self-regulation, which are foundational to recovery and further therapeutic work.

In music therapy, there are no “good” or “bad” songs—only the meaning the music holds.

– BENEFITS –

The Benefits of Music Therapy

Scientific research has shown that music therapy can have a profound impact on the brain and emotional well-being. Here’s how it works:

Reduces Stress and Lowers Cortisol

Music therapy has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress, helping the body return to a state of calm.
Encourages Emotional Processing

Music can help individuals express feelings that might be difficult to put into words, serving as a bridge to underlying emotions.
Boosts Mood and Increases Dopamine

Certain types of music trigger the release of dopamine, a chemical linked to pleasure and motivation, which can help alleviate symptoms of depression.

– EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPIES –

A Powerful Multiplier of Our Other Therapies & Clinical Care

Equine Assisted Learning

Dunham House offers an equine-assisted learning program that combines the healing power of horses with proven therapeutic practices.
Recreational Therapy

Recreational therapy uses leisure activities to promote physical and emotional well-being and improve social skills.
Horticultural Therapy

Still in development, our garden therapy program can improve mood, reduce stress, and build a sense of purpose.