Many music therapists work with adolescents and adults who are experiencing mental health challenges, including those living with anxiety and depression. Interventions that are used with this population vary widely depending on the needs of each unique client. One common intervention is lyric analysis. This is where existing songs are used to facilitate meaningful discussion and reflection in individual or group therapy sessions.
Here are a list of 10 songs that can be considered for use with adolescents or adults with anxiety and depression.
1. Unwell - Matchbox 20
I'm talking to myself in public Dodging glances on the train And I know, I know they've all been talking about me I can hear them whisper
2. Be OK - Ingrid Michaelson
Open me up and you will see I'm a gallery of broken hearts I'm beyond repair, let me be And give me back my broken parts
3. Last Hope - Paramore
I don't even know myself at all I thought I would be happy but now The more I try to push it I realize gonna let go of control
4. Beside You - Marianas Trench
When your tears are spent On your last pretence And your tired eyes refuse to close And sleep in your defence
5. Crawling - Linkin Park
Crawling in my skin These wounds, they will not heal Fear is how I fall Confusing what is real
6. Breathe Me - Sia
Ouch, I have lost myself again Lost myself and I am nowhere to be found Yeah, I think that I might break Lost myself again and I feel unsafe
7. Breathin' - Ariana Grande
Feel my blood runnin', swear the sky's fallin' How do I know if this is fabricated? Time goes by and I can't control my mind Don't know what else to try, but you tell me every time
Just keep breathin'
8. In My Blood - Shawn Mendes
Help me, it's like the walls are caving in Sometimes I feel like giving up No medicine is strong enough Someone help me
9. Shake it Out - Florence and the Machine
Regrets collect like old friends Here to relive your darkest moments I can see no way, I can see no way And all of the ghouls come out to play
10. Paint it Black - The Rolling Stones
I see my red door I must have it painted black Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts It's not easy facin' up, when your whole world is black