Music Therapy at Paradise Creek Recovery Center with Heather Overly, SCMT, CBMT

Over the past two decades, the exponential growth in research on substance use disorders (e.g. alcoholism, drug addiction) and process addictions (e.g. sex addiction, porn addiction, eating disorders, offending behaviors, etc.), as well as trauma, has encouraged clinicians to consider additional therapeutic interventions supportive of tapping into the brain’s neuroplasticity, for changing behaviors.  Professionals are eager to find evidence based and research driven therapies, which invite and anchor healthy change. Paradise Creek Recovery Center (PCRC), a residential program for men with sex or porn addiction, offending behaviors or individuals on spectrum with problem sexual behaviors, has found a useful tool toward this goal by utilizing Music Therapy as one of the many helpful interventions.

Why music therapy?

There is growing body of research showing the benefits of the therapeutic integration of music.  There are numerous TEDx talks sharing this research such as: Your Brain is Better on Music | Alex Doman | TEDx Ogden. He discusses his 25 years of research on music and its therapeutic benefits.  Mr. Doman helps viewers to explore how as human’s we are “wired” for music’s positive effects of enhancing learning, emotion regulation, stress reduction, reducing depression and suicide, improving sleep, and many more…all by “engaging the whole of our brain.” - which music uniquely does.

Music therapy engages those areas of the brain supportive of positive change.  It is invitational - individuals quickly realize participation in a rhythm, a tone or a lyric is experiential and fun, providing the participant to consider their particular experience of the session or sessions.  The American Music Therapy Association® governs the professional standards of music therapy practice as “the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs” of those served.  It encourages clinicians in music therapy practice to participate and present research, supporting ongoing education of the mental health and medical communities at large.  For more in depth information and useful research involving the use of music therapy as an approach on a broad range of behavioral and medical issues, please see the American Music Therapy Association® website.

Heather Overly, SCMT, CBMT

Since November of 2016, Heather Overly, SCMT, CBMT, has been the therapist providing music therapy for men at Paradise Creek Recovery Center. Heather meets weekly with PCRC men for a 90-minute group. She described the following benefits she sees in applying music therapy in treatment for sex and porn addiction, offending behaviors and those clients on the autism spectrum with problem sexual behaviors.  “I see them internalizing and improving their motivation for recovery.  Treatment for sex addiction is often externally motivated - music therapy can support the client’s ownership of why they are in treatment.” Music is also a way to safely experience emotional release, “music does it without words, but allows them to process with words as well.”  Music therapy supports group cohesion and inclusivity with the emphasis of group strength - each understanding they’ve become a part of a greater whole. The client's stress and anxiety is reduced with music relaxation and movement exercises. Lyric analysis affords each participant to assign their own meaning, encouraging insight, self-awareness and self-reflection.  Music therapy becomes a portable tool and coping skill, as they learn to play, express emotion, and self-sooth anger and anxiety.  The participants also become more mindful of music they listen to.  “We encourage them to develop a resiliency playlist.  They become more aware of how music affects them.  We see them discard a song and choose one more supportive of their recovery - that really makes me really happy.”

It's A New Day

The first music therapy assignment is the act of creating a positive affirmation chant, a unique way to set personal goals during their first week of treatment.  Heather provides an easy to use template to start.  The clients will then engage in writing their own chant the following week.  This process continues throughout their treatment experience - with all of their music and lyrics being saved.  During the last music therapy session, near treatment is completion, they share their first chant, followed by their most recent chant, and compare the two.  “I often hear the comment, “I was so shallow.”  Music therapy is only one of the current therapies helping each client have an overall great experience at PCRC. “I find the music therapy really brings the guys together in a shared experience as they write the lyrics - it becomes the concrete representation of their teamwork and shared trust, while acknowledging each participants contribution.” The overall experience of the process is carried together, both in and outside of therapy, as well as in individual and group sessions.

Ms. Overly found her passion while in school at Utah State University, achieving her BS in Music Therapy in 2001.  “I learned about music therapy with older adults and had the opportunity to observe and learn how music therapy engages participants.”  She has practiced utilizing drumming, music improvisation, song writing, lyric analysis, and client sharing meaningful songs with the group. “I love being able to see client responses and witness those special moments.”  Review of research was valuable in shaping her approach and focus in music therapy, she says, seeing the evidence of positive change in motivation, social skills, self-awareness, emotion expression and regulation made an impact on her choice to pursue music therapy as a career.

Music Therapy Research

There is a vast array of research related to music therapy.  The following are research articles on music therapy suggested by Heather, which you may find of interest:

• Drumming and Improvisation with Adult Male Sexual Offenders-Dalena M. Watson
• In Music Therapy Perspectives

   

   

   

  • Music Therapy Perspectives, Volume 20, Issue 2, 2002, Pages 105–111, https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/20.2.105

     

     

     

    • This article examines the music therapy drumming and improvisation treatment component designed for residential adult male sexual offenders. Techniques draw from rhythm-based music therapy, community drum circles, and music therapy improvisation with offender populations. Goal areas are intimacy, social skills, prosocial behavior, and awareness and expression of emotions. These goals parallel areas of need to reduce isk of recidivism. Staff observations and resident self-reports indicate progress toward all goals in addition to increased positive self-concept.
• Effects of Group Songwriting on Motivation and Readiness for Treatment on Patients in Detoxification: A Randomized Wait-List Effectiveness Study- Michael J. Silverman, PhD, MT-BC

   

   

   

  • Journal of Music Therapy, Volume 49, Issue 4, Winter 2012, Pages 414–429, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/49.4.414

     

     

     

    • Results: There were significant between-group differences in motivation and readiness for treatment, with experimental participants having higher means than control participants. Code categorizations from patients' composed song lyrics concerned “action,” “emotions and feelings,” “change,” “reflection,” “admission,” and “responsibility.”
    • Conclusion: From the results of this study, it seems that a single group songwriting session can be an effective intervention concerning motivation and readiness for treatment in patients on a detoxification unit.
• Effects of Lyric Analysis Interventions on Treatment Motivation in Patients on a Detoxification Unit: A Randomized Effectiveness Study-Michael J. Silverman, PhD, MT-BC

   

   

   

  • Journal of Music Therapy, Volume 52, Issue 1, Spring 2015, Pages 117–134

     

     

     

    • Results show that a single group-based music therapy lyric analysis session can be an effective psychosocial treatment intervention to enhance treatment motivation in patients on a detoxification unit. Results indicated significant between-group differences in measures of problem recognition, desire for help, treatment readiness, and total motivation, with experimental participants having higher treatment motivation means than control participants.

How To Get Help

For more information about Paradise Creek Recovery Center and our services for sex and porn addiction, offending behaviors or those on Autism Spectrum with problem sexual behaviors, please call 855.442.1912; or email paradisecreekintake@gmail.com

We look forward to working with you!
 

What is self-compassion?

Multiple therapies can work together to overcome addiction. One of those therapies, which is free and can be used at any time, is self-compassion. While self-compassion by itself will not end an addiction, it is a useful tool for living a happier, healthier life and for changing the brain patterns associated with sexual addiction. Here, essentially, is what it is: treating yourself as you would treat a dear friend or loved one.
What would you do if your friend lost his job? What about if a significant other left him? Or what if he learned he had a debilitating disease? Would you chew him out or tell him that he shouldn’t feel bad? If he made a mistake, lost his temper, forgot something important, or wrecked the car, would you call him names and tell him he’s the only one in the world that does such things? Would you tell him over and over what a horrible or stupid person he is? Most likely, no.

Stop for a moment and think about what you would do.

Would you recognize how your friend might be feeling and feel some of his hurt yourself? Would you try to cheer him up? Would you remind him of the times he’s done things right or express confidence in his ability to get through the situation? Would you want him to be happy? This is compassion. When you feel and do these things for yourself, it is self-compassion.

How can I apply self-compassion in my life?

The age-old adage, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” applies not only to how we speak of others, but also how we speak and think about ourselves. Just as we have healthier relationships with others as we extend compassion, mercy and grace, overlooking their faults and focusing on their strengths, so too can our relationships with ourselves improve as we forgive ourselves and highlight our own strengths and accomplishments.

Thus, one way to apply self-compassion in our own lives is to be aware of and intentionally modify how we talk and think about ourselves. Choose to think positively. Choose to speak positively.

This is not about being blind to what you are going through or pretending you aren’t feeling your emotions. Rather it is about choosing where to put your focus. For example, if you don’t want to get out of bed and you feel as though you no longer want to exist, but you get out of bed anyway, you could (A) berate yourself for how you feel, or (B) congratulate yourself for having the strength to get up when you don’t want to. (Or, if you didn’t get out of bed, you could (A) berate yourself for how you feel, or (B) congratulate yourself for at least recognizing that it is healthy and beneficial to get up.)

Besides verbally and mentally being self-compassionate, you may want to try journaling or writing yourself a letter. First, write down your negative feelings or thoughts. Then pretend that those are the feelings or thoughts of a best friend or loved one. When you’ve done this, write down your encouragement and support. Here are two examples:

I became angry at my son today and yelled at him. I know you didn’t want to yell at him. You’ve been working on that. And it’s been a week since you last yelled. That’s awesome. A lot of people have trouble controlling their temper. That’s not an excuse, but hopefully you realize that you’re not the only person trying to be better.

I’m not where I should be in life. My friends earn more money than I do and my debt’s getting bigger and bigger. It’s tough to be in debt. It is. And some of your classmates do earn more than you. But you earn more than some people. It really doesn’t matter how much you earn compared to other people. You know you need to learn to live within your means. Perhaps you can take a community education class on budgeting or personal finance.

In summary, whether you do it in your mind, speak it out loud, or write it down, pretend that you are talking or writing to your best friend and offer yourself compassion. Objectively empathize with how you are feeling, remind yourself that others go through hard times too, and help yourself see the positive aspects of the situation. Look for your own strengths and successes. Focus on offering yourself support.

If you want help overcoming your pornography addiction or sexual addiction, call Paradise Creek: (855) 442-1912.