Audrey Hausig, MMT, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist at Philadelphia Music Therapy located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
As mentioned by Michigan's Health Wellness, music therapy is practiced for varied types of patients and individuals. Songs assist in calming an individual's nervous system and the people around them, helping them feel relaxed while healing their souls.
Audrey has been practicing music therapy in and around Philadelphia for the past 20 years. Once she obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Music Therapy at Temple University, she became a music therapist and has been ever since.
Audrey explains that music therapy isn't the same as just listening to or playing music.
During a music therapy session, Audrey says that a music therapist starts off with playing a song that reflects and links with the client's anxiety, connecting with the client with both music and communication.
Audrey explains that a song can make a client feel safer because it's familiar. She mentions that the more familiar they are with a song, the more relaxed they will feel. However, she says that music therapists have to make sure they match what a client may be feeling in order to not bring on any trauma or triggers.
For instance, if a client is having racing thoughts, listening to something slow and calm may even make someone feel worse. Instead, she says that they try to match what a client may be feeling until they eventually feel calmer.
"It can gradually help somebody calm down. During a session, I meet them where they are at, and get them to where they hope to be at," says Audrey.
According to a study, The Influence of MusicTherapy on Perceived Stressors and Anxiety Levels of Hemodialysis Patients, music therapy was prominent in decreasing anxiety levels and recognized stressors of HD patients.
Audrey mentions that before the pandemic, she was subletting out of Inner Rythyms Music Therapy Center located in Philadelphia. However, due to Covid-19, they had to shut down all operations.
Since then, Audrey has been working with a variety of agencies and is currently working in private practice with individuals, providing sessions on Telehealth. She mentions that over time, she is looking forward to getting back to working more in-person.