Music Therapy Promotes High Self-Esteem in Domestic Violence Victims

Domestic violence continues to be a significant public health concern in the United States. While both men and women can become victims of domestic violence, more often women are victimized by an intimate partner or parent. For many women, the experience of domestic violence often results in the development of emotional or psychological complications for years to come.

In an effort to restore a healthy sense of being, some women who are victims of domestic violence are finding unique methods for healing. In many battered women's shelters, the use of the creative arts promoted a powerful healing outcome. From dance to music to art, many women are recovering from domestic violence in both individual creative art classes as well as group therapy.

Music therapy has become more common in recent years due to the natural healing effect that is used when combining the music and lyrics of very specific songs. Used in both group and individual settings, victims of domestic violence are encouraged to not only write lyrics but also to create musical accompaniment. In addition to creating your own songs, the music therapist may also incorporate specific pre-selected pieces of music, in combination with imagery, to reduce anxiety, fear and anger that are so commonly associated with domestic abuse complications.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, it is important that you seek the therapeutic interventions needed to promote healing. With proper group therapy, education, social support and individual therapy, you will find your psychological trauma can be greatly reduced while improving your overall self esteem. Whether you are creating your own music and lyrics, working with a group or you are using music and imagery as part of your healing process, you will find that your total sense of well being is improved.

Music therapy is a great way to heal many types of mental health complications. For men and women who are victims of domestic violence, or intimate partner abuse, it is important to overcome the obstacles of that relationship by first changing your living situation or limiting your exposure to the abuser. Once your exposure is reduced or eliminated, you may find the support of music therapy to be one that is unconventional but far better than most other forms of psychotherapy. When seeking assistance for domestic abuse, contact a local women's shelter in your area and inquire about the peer and social services along with the resource information for music therapy and other creative arts therapy programs.