Rio Hondo’s Student Health and Psychological services invited local Music Therapist who brought together music and therapy with Music Medicine, on March 9, at noon in SU 201.

Katherine Halliwell, a Music Therapist, has been assisting individuals for eight years, informed students on how music therapy helps individuals cope with their special needs ranging from mental health, hospice, end of life, addiction, recovery, and military veterans.

For individuals not informed on what music therapy does: it aids in supporting individuals goals within a health-healing plan to help them with overcoming physical, emotion, intellectual, and social challenges by eliminating stress, depression, and anxiety.

Halliwell also went over the fundamentals of music therapy, which are: music medicine, matching mood, music affecting individuals, balance, testimonials, and options for further support.

Music Medicine helps individuals reduce stress, anxiety, depression, increase emotional fluidity and overall sense of well-being. It also helps empower individuals to become more conscious and intentional about music listening choices of three music categories, which are: unsettling, soothing, and energizing.

According to Halliwell’s power points, matching mood is at the moment when an individual gravitate toward music that matches their current state of mind.

Victor Vasquez, a sophomore about to transfer to Cal State Fullerton agreed with matching mood by saying, “Yes, I believe in matching mood because there are times where I’m relaxed at home listening to Sinatra, and times where I’m at the Gym listening to Motley Crue. There has to be a balance, right? I highly doubt anyone works out listening to “Luck Be a Lady,” or studies to “Dr. Feelgood.”

Music affecting individuals is more in an unsettled comfort zone that matches their emotion whether its excitement, anxiousness, energized, anger, soothing, and depression.

Balance is all about exploring new music genres such as: Pop, Rock, Classical, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Country, New age, and Christian.

Different music testimonials were based on different states of mind, which are grief, anxiety, and renewed energy.

One example of a renewed energy testimonial quote said by a student was,

“My goals of relaxation, easing into sleep, and having more energy were all met. Within one week, I was able to enter into a relaxed state and drift quickly into a sound sleep at night. With better rest, my energy improved. I also found my overall mood lighter.”

When asked why it is important to educate students on music therapy Halliwell was quoted as saying, “Being a student can be a stressful endeavor, especially when also juggling a job, family, relationships, and more! I think the protocol I spoke about can greatly benefit anyone experiencing stress as a tool to help them cope and become more resilient to daily stressors. It’s also important to inform people in general about music therapy, so that they know what options for health and well-being are out there, and also to develop an understanding and respect for the field and the credentialed professionals who serve others through their musical and clinical knowledge.”

Halliwell, who started her career in 2008, received her bachelor in music therapy, emphasized in piano, bachelor of Arts in Psychology graduated Chapman University, she is a professional member of the American Music Therapy Association, the Certification Board of Music Therapists, Thanatologist, from the Music Thanatology Association International, and Presenter at the American Music Therapy Association AMTA National Conference from November of 2009.

There are resources pages regarding more about music therapy, which can be viewed at http://www.musictherapy.org/ or http://music4life.us/.

Halliwell can be reached through her contact info for more questions regarding music therapy through her phone number (562) 587-7560 or her email [email protected]