Opinions

Tue, 09 Mar, 2021

Should Art and Music Therapy be Covered by Health Insurance?

The creative arts have significantly more ability to influence a person's life than one might think. They can stimulate people both visually and mentally in ways that other objects cannot. They catch our imagination in such a colorful way that they provide us with an alternative channel to express ourselves when we don't have the words. 

That being stated, the creative arts can be used as a therapeutic tool for people who have been through trauma or adversity. 

Art and music therapy

Two highly valid forms of treatment, art and music therapy, can be incredibly beneficial to a person's healing process. Being a creative myself, there have been moments when I've considered music therapy as a career option and as part of my own healing process. 

During our investigation into different types of therapy, we discovered that therapists in art and music therapy employ creativity to treat and diagnose a variety of ailments and conditions. It's used in places like schools, hospitals, nursing homes, private practices, and other places where people get medical help. However, we realized that art and music therapy are not covered by health insurance companies.

Art and music therapy

  • In art therapy, a therapist guides the patient in using visual arts as a means of expressing their emotions. The patient will express feelings that are difficult to explain in words using various materials such as paint, pastels, and pens. It is frequently employed in the treatment of trauma, grief, addiction, stress, and anxiety. Conflict resolution, a sense of self-fulfillment, and better ways to cope with pain are all advantages of art therapy.

  • Music therapy has been shown to relieve pain, stress, and loneliness, all of which I have become accustomed to in my life, particularly as an out-of-state college student at San Diego State. I simply wish insurance companies would include music therapy as part of the huge range of services they provide, so I could take this alternative route as I heal.

The goal of music therapy is to enhance one's life by reducing depression, tension, and heart rate, among other things. This not only engages the patient in listening to music, but also in singing, playing instruments, and writing songs. Music therapy aids in the improvement of the patient's communication skills. 

This evidence should be taken into account by health insurance providers, who should actively engage in discussions about how they may pay for art and music therapy expenditures for the benefit of all of us. Patients are being denied healing by not covering these types of therapy. 

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FAQs

  1. What is the efficacy of art and music therapy?

Music and art, according to studies, can relieve pain, help people manage stress, promote wellness, boost memory, improve communication, aid physical rehabilitation, and give people a way to express their feelings.

  1. Who can benefit from music therapy?

Adults, children, adolescents, and the elderly can all benefit from music therapy. People with developmental and learning difficulties can also greatly benefit from music therapy.

  1. What impact does art have on mental health?

Making art benefits both adults and children because it boosts their self-esteem and gives them a sense of success. It produces dopamine, a chemical that makes people happy, increases motivation, and improves concentration.

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