by Jackie Saunders
The music room Stephen Sabados works in is a little smaller than a typical high school classroom. Inside is a drum set, two electric guitars, two acoustic guitars, an electric bass, a digital piano, several keyboards, a conga set, and various handheld percussion instruments. Every day, three to four small groups of six to eight people enter the room, pick up instruments, and begin the learning process.
Sabados, 39, works at Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health in Rockville, Maryland, as a board certified music therapist (MTBC) for children, adolescents, and adults. The center, which is a psychiatric hospital, treats people for various behavioral, emotional, and social problems, as well as those dealing with substance abuse. Some patients are only there for a short time, while others are in the residential program as long-term patients.
According to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), music therapy is a method of treatment that addresses the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Sessions also help manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, and aid in physical rehabilitation.
Teri Mock, (MT-BC) is a music therapist at La Loma Village, a residential property for seniors in Loskamp, Arizona, specializing in the areas of independent, assisted, and care living. She uses music therapy to help patients with dementia recall memories associated with a certain songs or genres of music.
Because many of Mock’s patients do not have the verbal skills to say how they feel, having group sing-alongs or percussion sessions helps them find a voice and encourages social interaction.
"I like watching the difference music therapy can make for clients and their lives,” says Mock. “There are some dementia patients who don’t make eye contact, socialize, or answer questions. Music therapy encourages meaningful
interaction, which improves their quality of life.”
Songs like “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” or “Edelweiss,” from the patients’ era can provide that spark of memory. In group therapy sessions, it’s rewarding for Mock to hear patients start to address her by name, talk with one another, or reach over and help one another with their respective percussion instruments. Some have difficulty maintaining motor control, and playing a percussion instrument aids in lessening tremors.
Breaking the isolating feelings that dementia causes makes music therapy an effective tool. Mock says some residents
get excited when they see her walk by with a guitar in hand. “They’ll say, ‘Look, it’s the music lady,’” says Mock.
Mock, who has been a music therapist for more than 12 years, uses drum circles with some higher-functioning clients and even does some wheelchair dancing.
"Part of the value of music therapy is to promote camaraderie,” she says. “That is something I really try to promote because I want them to have a connection that’s what life’s about.”
Sabados never thought the guitar would lead to a career as a health professional, when he picked up the instrument at age 15, hoping to be a rock star. His teacher, also a music therapist, suggested Sabados volunteer with another music therapist at a local special education school as part of a community service project during his senior year. Inspired by that experience, Sabados decided to try a different career in music. “Many times people go into music for selfish reasons, whether it be girls, money, or fame,” he says. “I’m taking my gift of music and doing something positive with it by helping people.”
At Potomac Ridge Behavioral Health music therapy is an optional treatment. Depending on a patient’s diagnoses,
music therapy can be used to develop coping skills or help with socialization. Sabados tailors the therapy to a patient’s
needs and notes progress during and after treatment. “People have the option of attending music therapy group, and those who are there, really want to be there,” he says. “Some adults are skeptical at first, but once they are engaged, they seem to enjoy the group and become invested. I’ve even seen some of my patients at music stores in the process of buying an instrument or seeking lessons.”
Sabados conducts the music therapy sessions to be success-oriented, meaning the patients see the fruits of their labor
relatively quickly. Teaching a simple riff or chord progression in a session helps patients who may not be musically inclined to discover that they can make music and that it sounds good.
"Since so many people like different kinds of music, I usually teach a I-IV-V blues progression or the chords from Grease’s "Magic Changes,” C-A minor-F-G7, because it has become instinctual in American music over the years and you can sense when you are supposed to move to the next chord.” Besides original riffs and basic chord progressions, sometimes Sabados teaches the group songs with positive messages, like “Lean on Me” or "Stand by Me.”
Sabados admits he wasn’t always the best musician in high school, often having to seek extra help outside class, so he is empathetic to patients who learn differently or need additional instruction. “If a patient has a hard time forming chords, I can do a drop D tuning on the guitar so he can play power chords easier, or I can verbally instruct a drummer on the various patterns rather than using sheet music,” he says.
Since the advent of popular video games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero, some of the most sought-out instruments are the drum set and guitar. Many people are surprised how difficult the real instruments are compared to the game, but Sabados makes it simple for the patients to see results in their playing. Besides playing instruments together, some patients even write original songs and lyrics and share them with the group.
"Sometimes it’s difficult to share,” explains Sabados, “but in a musical setting, there is the element of melody and safety in numbers as part of an ensemble, as opposed to reciting poetry, standing alone in front of a group of people. It makes sharing a little easier, I think.”
Patients benefit from music therapy in a number of ways. For example, if someone has difficulty focusing on one task at a time or has trouble being aware of what is happening around her, playing the drums could give her a sense of organization, consistency, and normality that could carry over into the rest of the day’s activities. For patients struggling with underdeveloped social skills, playing musical instruments in a group teaches teamwork and how to get
along with others. If someone suffers from depression, learning a skill like guitar-playing or achieving a musical goal
can boost self-esteem.
"I see every day how music makes a difference in peoples’ lives,” says Sabados. “Coming together and playing in a group gives patients a sense of familiarity and comfort. I’ve seen people with no selfconfidence learn an instrument and the basic skills to perform in an ensemble. Patients in long-term care write their own songs and express themselves in a positive way and learn how to have fun.”
A perk of the job for music therapists is seeing how music makes a difference in people’s lives. Sabados is grateful he can combine his love of music with his desire to improve patients’ lives. “Some people hate their jobs and panic Sunday nights just thinking about going back to work,” says Sabados. “On Sunday night I’m excited. I’m on the computer looking up songs, transcribing the parts to use with my groups. I’m making a living at what I love, and I’m proud of it.”
