Music therapy activities help adults regulate emotions, reduce anxiety & process trauma.
Interventions like drumming, lyric analysis & guided listening are grounded in neuroscience.
Music-based tools are flexible, accessible & effective across clinical & informal settings.
Sometimes the right music can say what words cannot.
I grew up in a musical family, and music continued serving a role years later in my work as a clinician and coach with adolescents and adults. Although I didn’t realize it then, music became my first tool for emotional regulation, reflection, and self-expression. I’ve seen how music continues to serve that role, in my life and in the lives of my clients.
Today, music therapy for adults is increasingly recognized as an evidence-based approach to improving mental health and wellbeing (Aalbers et al., 2017; Bradt & Dileo, 2014; Koelsch, 2010).
Whether through structured music therapy interventions or informal therapeutic music practices, sound has the power to transform. In this article, we’ll explore how music therapy activities support creative expression, emotional resilience, and healing across a wide range of needs, from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression to mindfulness and beyond.
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Music therapy activities are structured musical experiences designed to support mental, emotional, cognitive, and social wellbeing.
These activities may include listening to music, songwriting, improvisation, lyric analysis, and movement to music — each grounded in the therapeutic relationship between client and practitioner (Bradt & Dileo, 2014; Silverman, 2011).
While these activities vary in form, they share a common goal: to promote healing through creative expression and connection (Koelsch, 2010; Silverman, 2011).
In clinical contexts, music therapy activities are categorized as either active (such as singing, playing instruments, or composing) or receptive (for example, mindful music listening, guided imagery, or relaxation).
Both forms can facilitate emotional regulation, enhance self-awareness, and foster resilience, making them particularly effective when addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and attentional challenges (Bradt & Dileo, 2014; Silverman, 2011).
Although I am not a music therapist by training, I have incorporated therapeutic music activities with clients in mindfulness-based coaching and psychotherapy.
For example, I often invite clients to create personalized playlists that reflect and regulate their mood states, whether to ground themselves during an anxious moment or to energize during periods of low motivation.
During therapy, we also explore music as a tool for deepening meditation, especially for those who find silence overwhelming. In this way, music becomes not just a background element but a collaborative partner in therapy.
Music therapy is not only about sound; it’s about the emotions, memories, and physiological shifts that sound evokes. Neurologically, music activates the brain’s reward and emotion systems, influencing cortisol levels and enhancing neural connectivity (Koelsch, 2010).
As such, music therapy activities are far more than leisure; they are evidence-based interventions with powerful clinical potential.
Music Therapy Activities for Adults
Adults face a range of stressors that impact emotional and psychological health: chronic stress, grief, career transitions, and managing long-term conditions such as depression and ADHD.
Music therapy for adults offers a responsive and adaptable approach to support these needs, using structured music-based experiences to enhance self-regulation, emotional processing, and personal growth.
Music therapy activities tailored for adults often include collaborative songwriting, music-assisted relaxation, reflective listening, and rhythm-based engagement such as drumming.
These activities are not simply expressive. They are grounded in the science of emotional regulation and neuroplasticity (Koelsch, 2010). For example, rhythmic drumming has been linked to reduced cortisol levels and improved immune function and is also associated with emotional catharsis and social connection (Bittman et al., 2001).
In my clinical work, I’ve guided adults through mindfulness exercises using carefully selected music tracks. Clients often describe these sessions as deeply grounding, particularly when experiencing anxiety.
One client, struggling with generalized anxiety disorder, developed a musical tool kit of calming songs to accompany daily breathing exercises. Over time, she reported fewer panic episodes and a greater sense of agency in managing emotional overwhelm, demonstrating the powerful role of music in building resilience.
Music also becomes a vehicle for creative expression, particularly for adults who struggle to articulate difficult emotions through words — a process supported by both neuroscience and narrative-based music interventions (Silverman, 2011; Koelsch, 2009).
Whether through journaling about song lyrics or cocreating playlists that reflect personal narratives, adults can explore identity, memory, and healing in a way that feels safe and accessible.
As an evidence-based practice, music therapy interventions for adults are used in hospitals, mental health clinics, recovery programs, and private practices worldwide (Scott, 2023). They can also be applied in informal settings — anywhere a person is ready to connect with sound, story, and self.
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Music-Based Interventions & Ideas
Music-based interventions can be adapted to many needs, from lifting mood to improving focus or fostering connection.
Using both active and receptive methods, these approaches harness rhythm and melody to support emotional, cognitive, and social wellbeing. Below, we explore how they can be applied to the treatment of depression, ADHD, mental health, and autism.
For depression
Music-based interventions can significantly reduce symptoms of depression by enhancing emotional expression, improving mood, and fostering hope (Aalbers et al., 2017).
Active methods such as songwriting and lyric analysis help clients articulate painful experiences in a structured, supportive way, while receptive techniques — like guided music listening — can ease rumination and support mindfulness (Aalbers et al., 2017).
Neurologically, therapeutic music stimulates the brain’s reward pathways and helps regulate stress hormones, contributing to emotional stabilization (Koelsch, 2009).
In practice, I’ve encouraged clients to create a mood-mapping playlist as a tool to transition through emotional states, moving from sadness to calm or apathy to motivation. Over time, clients become more attuned to their internal states and more capable of shifting them intentionally.
For ADHD
Adults with ADHD often benefit from rhythmic and highly structured interventions (Puyjarinet et al., 2020). Techniques like drumming, beat synchronization, and tempo-matching exercises improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and support emotion regulation (Puyjarinet et al., 2020; Bittman et al., 2001).
Music provides an external structure that many clients with attentional challenges find calming and organizing.
In one group setting, I used drumming activities as both an energizer and a focusing tool. The predictable rhythm created a natural container for participants’ attention, offering a much-needed sense of regulation and accomplishment.
For mental health
Broadly, music-based interventions support mental health by promoting relaxation, social bonding, and expressive outlets (Koelsch, 2010; Silverman, 2011; Bensimon et al., 2008).
Trauma-informed care commonly uses group singing, improvisation, and music journaling to help clients process emotions and rebuild trust in others (Bensimon et al., 2008).
These techniques often complement talk therapy and are adaptable to a range of emotional and cognitive capacities.
For autism
Music therapy is increasingly used with autistic individuals to support sensory integration, social engagement, and emotional expression (Sharda et al., 2018).
Structured improvisation and call-and-response exercises foster communication while minimizing overstimulation. Studies indicate that music enhances attention and reduces anxiety in autistic individuals by offering predictability and multi-sensory input (Sharda et al., 2018).
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Music Therapy Techniques & Exercises
Music therapy draws from a rich tool kit of techniques and exercises designed to promote healing through structured sound and rhythm. While each technique is adaptable, they are most effective when used intentionally and in alignment with evidence-based music therapy practices (Bradt & Dileo, 2014; Silverman, 2011).
Three key techniques
Three widely used techniques include drumming, singing, and vibroacoustic therapy.
Drumming
Drumming fosters emotional catharsis, stress reduction, and a sense of connection (Bittman et al., 2001). It is particularly effective in group settings, where shared rhythm promotes cohesion and reduces isolation (Bittman et al., 2001). Clients are encouraged to play freely, accessing their internal rhythms without judgment.
Singing
Singing is both expressive and neurologically beneficial. It enhances respiratory control, stimulates memory, and fosters social connection, with neurological benefits observed in both cognition and affect (Gerdner & Swanson, 1993; Koelsch, 2010). Research has shown its effectiveness in treating cognitive and neurodegenerative conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s disease (Gerdner & Swanson, 1993).
Vibroacoustic therapy
Vibroacoustic therapy (VAT) combines low-frequency sound waves with soothing music to regulate nervous system arousal. VAT is used in clinical settings to relieve anxiety, reduce pain, and support emotional processing (International Society of Vibroacoustic Therapy, 2021).
Exercises
Music therapy exercises are structured activities that invite active participation. A few examples include:
Songwriting
Clients write lyrics based on personal themes, promoting insight, narrative coherence, and emotional processing, which is especially helpful for clients with mood or motivation-related challenges (Silverman, 2011).
Music mood mapping
Clients identify songs linked to emotional states and build intentional playlists for transitions, for example, from anxious to calm. This has been particularly effective in helping clients develop emotional regulation strategies (Koelsch, 2010).
Guided musical imagery
Paired with breathwork or progressive relaxation, this technique encourages clients to visualize safe or peaceful environments, supporting mindfulness and stress relief (Scott, 2023).
These tools highlight music’s dual role as both expressive and regulating — a core strength of therapeutic music.
The effectiveness of music therapy interventions often depends on not just the technique, but the tools used to bring the experience to life.
Music therapy tools span both digital and acoustic, traditional and modern, offering flexible ways to engage adults across different preferences and abilities (Pavlicevic & Ansdell, 2004; Gold et al., 2013).
Musical instruments
Instruments like guitars, keyboards, drums, and hand percussion are staples in music therapy sessions. They enable clients to participate actively, express emotion, and connect through rhythm. In group settings, shared music-making fosters cooperation and builds a sense of belonging (Pavlicevic & Ansdell, 2004).
Even a simple hand drum or shaker can provide a grounding, sensory experience, especially for clients with trauma histories or those struggling with body awareness. In my own work, I’ve watched clients light up when handed a ukulele or encouraged to beat out a rhythm on a drum. There’s an immediacy and joy that emerges through sound.
Technology and audio tools
Digital tools such as music apps, playlist platforms, and portable speakers allow therapists and clients to access therapeutic music anywhere, supporting personalized interventions both in and outside of sessions (Gold et al., 2013; Magee et al., 2019).
Guided meditation apps with music, lyric-editing programs, and music mood-tracking tools (e.g., Music eScape or MoodTunes) can enhance engagement and autonomy, especially for tech-savvy adults.
Growing up in a musical family, I experienced firsthand how music could shift a mood or help me process difficult emotions, even before I had words for those feelings. To this day, I keep instruments within reach in my workspace and home. Clients often comment on the emotional safety and curiosity that evokes — an unspoken permission to create and connect.
Visual and written aids
Whiteboards, lyric sheets, journals, and drawing materials are often integrated into sessions. They complement auditory tasks and support multimodal engagement, especially in songwriting or visualization exercises, by promoting reflective and expressive processing (Silverman, 2011; Gold et al., 2013).
These tools aren’t just accessories; they’re invitations to explore, express, and regulate.
How Effective Are Music-Based Interventions?
Music-based interventions are increasingly recognized as effective, evidence-based approaches to supporting mental health, cognitive functioning, and emotional regulation (Aalbers et al., 2017; Bradt & Dileo, 2014; Koelsch, 2010).
Their impact spans a wide range of clinical and nonclinical populations, from individuals managing anxiety and depression to those with neurodevelopmental or neurodegenerative conditions (Aalbers et al., 2017; Bittman et al., 2001; Scott, 2023).
Meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials have shown that music therapy can:
Reduce symptoms of depression (Aalbers et al., 2017)
Enhance cognitive function in stroke and dementia patients (Forsblom et al., 2009)
Support pain reduction in medical settings (Klassen et al., 2008)
Neuroscientific research confirms that music affects key brain areas involved in emotion regulation and reward processing, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (Koelsch, 2010).
One of the most compelling aspects of therapeutic music is its accessibility. Unlike some interventions that require a high level of verbal or cognitive processing, music can be felt, experienced, and responded to immediately, making it especially powerful for clients with trauma, ADHD, autism, or chronic stress (Silverman, 2011; Koelsch, 2010; Sharda et al., 2018).
Music therapy helps individuals shift attention, regulate affect, and process emotional material safely (Bruscia, 2014).
In my personal experience, even informal uses of music in sessions — such as a grounding song during breathwork or reflective listening after emotional disclosure — often have a striking effect. Clients describe feeling seen, heard, and more connected to themselves, which reinforces their sense of agency and resilience.
As a result, music therapy for adults continues to gain momentum across clinical, educational, and wellness domains. Whether through structured music therapy interventions or personalized, self-guided practices, therapeutic music offers a versatile, scientifically supported path to healing.
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If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of evidence-based music therapy or simply want to explore more ways to support emotional wellbeing, PositivePsychology.com offers a range of free and premium resources designed for practitioners, educators, and individuals alike.
Our Positive Psychology Toolkit includes over 500 science-backed tools, including worksheets, assessments, and interventions, several of which integrate mindfulness, emotional regulation, and creative expression practices that align beautifully with music-based approaches.
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Long before I became a clinician or knew the words “emotional regulation,” I learned the power of music through lived experience. Growing up in a musical family, I used songs to soothe sadness, express joy, and find calm in chaos.
Today, as a practitioner, I see that same power in my clients. Music helps them reconnect with themselves, feel safe in their bodies, and express what words often can’t.
Whether used formally through evidence-based music therapy interventions or informally in daily life, therapeutic music offers a deeply accessible path to healing. It invites creative expression, strengthens emotional resilience, and transforms how we relate to ourselves and others.
In a world filled with noise, music remains one of the most powerful ways to truly listen — to our minds, our hearts, and our healing.
How can music therapy games help with emotional regulation?
Games like music bingo or rhythm matching build attention, self-awareness, and peer connection, especially effective for ADHD, trauma, or group work (Puyjarinet et al., 2020; Koelsch, 2009).
What are some examples of music therapy activities?
Examples include songwriting, lyric analysis, drumming, guided music listening, and improvisation. These activities promote emotional expression, focus, and connection (Bittman et al., 2001; Scott, 2023; Bensimon et al., 2008).
How do I use music therapy exercises in a session?
Start with structured activities like music mood mapping, songwriting prompts, or guided imagery with music. Choose exercises that align with client goals and emotional needs (Silverman, 2011; Koelsch, 2010; Scott, 2023).
References
Aalbers, S., Fusar-Poli, L., Freeman, R. E., Spreen, M., Ket, J. C. F., Vink, A. C., Maratos, A., Crawford, M., Chen, X. J. & Gold, C. (2017). Music therapy for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (11), CD004517. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004517.pub3
Bensimon, M., Amir, D., & Wolf, Y. (2008). Drumming through trauma: Music therapy with post-traumatic soldiers. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 35(1), 34–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2007.09.002
Bittman, B. B., Berk, L. S., Felten, D. L., Westengard, J., Simonton, O. C., Pappas, J., & Ninehouser, M. (2001). Composite effects of group drumming music therapy on modulation of neuroendocrine–immune parameters in normal subjects. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 7(1), 38–47.
Bruscia, K. E. (2014). Defining music therapy (3rd ed.). Barcelona Publishers.
Forsblom, A., Laitinen, S., Särkämö, T., & Tervaniemi, M. (2009). Therapeutic role of music listening in stroke rehabilitation. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1169(1), 426–430. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04776.x
Gerdner, L. A., & Swanson, E. A. (1993). Effects of individualized music on confused and agitated elderly patients. The American Journal of Alzheimer’s Care and Related Disorders & Research, 8(5), 17–23.
Gold, C., Mössler, K., Grocke, D., Heldal, T. O., Tjemsland, L., Aarre, T., Aarø, L. E., Rittmannsberger, H., Stige, B., Assmus, J. & Rolvsjord, R. (2013). Individual music therapy for mental health care clients with low therapy motivation: Multicentre randomised controlled trial. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 82(5), 319–331. https://doi.org/10.1159/000348452
Klassen, T. P., Liang, Y., & Hartling, L. (2008). Music for pain and anxiety in children undergoing medical procedures. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006275.pub2
Magee, W. L., Davidson, J. W., & Gold, C. (2019). Music therapy assessment tool for awareness in disorders of consciousness (MATADOC): Standardized neurobehavioral assessment. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 29(1), 30–48.
Pavlicevic, M., & Ansdell, G. (2004). Community music therapy. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Puyjarinet, F., Bégel, V., Drucker-Colín, R., & Dalla Bella, S. (2020). Rhythmic stimulation as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A pilot study. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 3798.
Sharda, M., Tuerk, C., Chowdhury, R., Jamey, K., Foster, N., Custo-Blanch, M., Tan, M., Nadig, A., & Hyde, K. (2018). Music improves social communication and auditory-motor connectivity in children with autism. Translational Psychiatry, 8, Article 231. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-018-0287-3
Silverman, M. J. (2011). Effects of group songwriting on motivation and readiness for treatment on patients in detoxification: A randomized wait-list effectiveness study. Journal of Music Therapy, 48(2), 103–122.
About the author
Andrea Lein, Ph.D. is a professional speaker, author, and psychologist on a mission to inspire others to lead healthy, flourishing lives. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical & School Psychology and an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology, specializing in giftedness, from the University of Virginia.
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What our readers think
Harry Hewitt
on August 15, 2025 at 11:06
I’m currently writing an EPQ titled What is the Extent to which popular music has therapeutic impacts on individuals with BPD aged 15-50, and this has massively helped me it is one of my websites I use in my actual answer!
I facilitate an 8 hr restorative justice workshop in a youth detention facility with some of the most violent young people in our state. I’ve recently started implementing music in the middle of our workshop and it has already had a positive effect. To the point that we are starting a music writing and recording class at the facility. If this goes well we will offer the class at other facilities in the state. The info given here is VERY helpful for what we are doing. I’d love to stay tapped in here.
I’m glad you found the article about Music Bingo interesting and that you’re keen to try it!
Here’s how it works:
Each participant receives a card with different songs listed. Then a song is played or a hint is given about a song.
Participants try to identify the song and if they have it on their card, they mark it. Eventually, the first person to complete a row or pattern (as decided before the game starts) and shout “Bingo!” is the winner.
Sometimes the right music can say what words cannot.
Adults face a range of stressors that impact emotional and psychological health: 
Music-based interventions are increasingly recognized as effective, 
What our readers think
I’m currently writing an EPQ titled What is the Extent to which popular music has therapeutic impacts on individuals with BPD aged 15-50, and this has massively helped me it is one of my websites I use in my actual answer!
thank u for this article with love and gratitude
I facilitate an 8 hr restorative justice workshop in a youth detention facility with some of the most violent young people in our state. I’ve recently started implementing music in the middle of our workshop and it has already had a positive effect. To the point that we are starting a music writing and recording class at the facility. If this goes well we will offer the class at other facilities in the state. The info given here is VERY helpful for what we are doing. I’d love to stay tapped in here.
Thank you for the article!
I would love to try the music bingo. But it is not totally clear to me how it works?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Bente,
I’m glad you found the article about Music Bingo interesting and that you’re keen to try it!
Here’s how it works:
Each participant receives a card with different songs listed. Then a song is played or a hint is given about a song.
Participants try to identify the song and if they have it on their card, they mark it. Eventually, the first person to complete a row or pattern (as decided before the game starts) and shout “Bingo!” is the winner.
Hope this helps!
Warm regards,
Julia | Community Manager