February 25, 2014 – Music Really Does Soothe the Soul

I have a very special interest in incorporating music in my therapy whenever possible.   If I see an opportunity to seize upon it and use in a positive way, I will do it.  I was very touched and happily surprised during one of my sessions with a teenager.   During our conversation, the topic turned to music and he expressed an interest in learning the guitar.  When he found out that I had been playing the guitar for some number of years, he became so thrilled that he jumped up to show me his record collection ( yes his own LP collection).  I was both struck and amazed at this young teenager’s knowledge of music, both contemporary and oldies.  What really struck me was when he used one of the lyrics from Nick Drake’s song to describe how he was feeling at the time. He brought up “Place to Be.”  It talks about someone who was much more optimistic when he was a younger boy. Now that he is older, he can't really find a place to belong, considering how people are telling him how to live his life.  I, indeed expressed my praise, as well as, how insightful he was to understand the power of how lyrics can describe a story about someone.  I brought up another song by Nick Drake “Road.”  It talks about how changing your path to suit others will not change anything. Your path will lead you where you are supposed to go.  It brought an opportunity for him to understand that no matter what anyone tells him or attempts to steer him, the only person that can chose his own path is himself.  When he does, he will be more content and optimistic.   He tended to agreed.  I just look forward to him playing the guitar.