Music Therapy Activity: A Guide to Intentional Playlisting

By Cayla F. Mendoza, MT-BC & ETM-LA Volunteer

 

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-informed use of music interventions to support individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship between a credentialed music therapist and client. Goals may address cognitive, physical/sensorimotor, communication, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Music therapy supports individuals across the lifespan and can be practiced in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, treatment centers, rehabilitation programs, private practice, and community spaces.

 

What is intentional playlisting?

Intentional playlisting is the process of grouping together musical selections with the purpose of supporting or shifting toward a desired mood, emotional state, or experience. Unlike passive listening, intentional playlisting involves thoughtfully choosing music based on how it may affect emotions, energy levels, thoughts, or relaxation.

 

Download the Intentional Playlisting Worksheet!

 

Why does music affect us so deeply?

Whether creating playlists to support emotional regulation for a child with autism, using familiar music to assist an adult experiencing anxiety with orientation to person, place, and time, or facilitating memory recall and positive emotional experiences for older adults, playlists often become an important part of the music listening experience.

Research suggests that listening to music engages multiple areas of the brain associated with emotion, memory, attention, reward, and movement. Historically, theories such as Paul D. MacLean’s Triune Brain model helped researchers begin to conceptualize how different levels of brain processes may contribute to our emotional and behavioral responses to music, although contemporary neuroscience is recognizing the brain as far more interconnected and complex. In addition, psychologist Gordon H. Bower’s Associative Network Theory of Memory and Emotion proposes that emotions and memories are interconnected through associative networks, meaning that activating one emotional or sensory experience, such as music, may trigger related memories, thoughts, or emotional states.

These concepts help explain why music can be such a powerful tool for emotional processing, memory recall, relaxation, and social connection. Because each individual’s experiences, memories, and emotional associations with music are unique, intentional playlisting can become a highly personal and meaningful way to boost emotional awareness and regulation.

For more information about music therapy, visit The American Music Therapy Association.

 

About Cayla F. Mendoza, MT-BC:

As a newly graduated music therapist and alumna of the Frost School of Music’s neurologic-focused music therapy program, Cayla has worked with a wide range of populations throughout her practicum training, internship, and professional work experiences. Across these settings, she has found intentional playlisting to be a widely accessible and meaningful therapeutic tool.