One of the many activities children and teenagers enjoy doing them during childhood is listening to music. Music is an outlet for children and teens as they grow, and it can be a healthy and positive tool, especially when they’re coping with the death of a parent. Music can be a useful form therapy also in sessions with clinicians.
The death of a parent is one of the most difficult life situations a child or teenager can have to navigate. It is important to try to find comforting and positive ways, because there will be a wide range of sad emotions when trying to get out of this situation. For surviving parents and those trying to support grieving youth, turning to music or clinical music therapy can be very helpful for grieving youth.
“Music therapy is provided for children in a variety of settings: family sessions, individual sessions, limited time at school. loss groups, grief camps for children and teenagers, and open bereavement groups at the bereavement center. Family therapy sessions using music therapy have been facilitated before the death of a loved one to help children cope with the expected death, and also after the death to help children through the grieving process. – Russell Hilliard, Board Certified Music Therapist
Using music as a healthy coping tool can take many different forms. Some children and teenagers may want to put on headphones and listen to music after school. Some may repeat a favorite song of their deceased parent over and over again, which can serve as comfort. For others, they may listen to music that their deceased parent made or music that resonates with them. A slow or fast song can express the emotions they are experiencing. Other children and teens may even want to compose or write their own songs to express their feelings while processing their parent’s death.
Whether used as music therapy in a clinical setting or as a practical coping strategy at home, this art-based therapy method can be very helpful for children and adolescents coping with the death of a parent.
