music therapy

Use of music as an adjunct to relaxation therapy, or in psychotherapy to elicit expressions of suppressed emotions by prompting patients to dance, shout, laugh, cry, or other, in response.

Music therapists are most frequently called upon to help the mentally or physically disabled; for instance, patients suffering from speech difficulties or autism may be enabled to express themselves more effectively by making musical sounds, and music can help the physically disabled to develop better motor control.