Music as Therapy: Healing Trauma with Song

Photo by Diane Coll

Perhaps as long as humankind has made music, its spiritual, mental, and physical health benefits have been clear. Music as a means of healing isn’t a new idea.

When it comes to music and mental health, Carl Jung, a notable Swiss psychiatrist who had a considerable influence on his field decades ago, really nailed the therapeutic value of music. According to Jung, “music should be an essential part of every analysis.”

More recently, the late British neurosurgeon Dr. Oliver Sacks – who spent a significant part of his career researching and writing about the power of music to heal the human mind – explained yet again why music can soothe pain. In his book, Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain, Sacks asserted: “The power of music to integrate and cure…is quite fundamental. It is the profoundest non-chemical medication.”

As a former Music Therapist and current mental health counselor, singer-songwriter Diane Coll shares similar sentiments. When she creates music, she hopes it will help listeners better explore emotions often hidden away.

“We can listen in private and go through whatever thoughts and feelings we need to go through,” Coll said about music as a healing aid. “It can reach people who don’t want to talk.” She continued, “I think it’s important as human beings that we really feel what we’re feeling, and music is good for that.”

For Coll, music isn’t always about being cheery and uplifting. Sometimes, it’s about unlocking the darker aspects of our feelings. Her music reflects that; she aims to address issues that are both “dark” and “light.” She believes people should be encouraged to delve into their more uncomfortable ideas and thoughts.

“I’ve known people that don’t do that; they just want to live in the light all the time,” she said.

As a mental health specialist, Coll said her job involves travel to work with “women, and some men, who have had some form of abuse or violence.” She said, “Where there’s abuse, there’s shame,” and music helps because it lets those suffering know that others have been in their shoes and “it’s okay, you’re going to make it through.”

Coll knows the benefits of music; she’s had a first-hand appreciation of this.

“For me, music has always been a safe space,” she explained. “As a little girl, that’s what I turned to.” She eventually realized she expressed herself better through music, so it became a passion.

Dealing well with life – which Coll described as a combination of “messy and beautiful” – is about allowing oneself to have moments of vulnerability. As a songwriter, Coll said observing those vulnerable moments in other performers helped her to find her voice as a musician.

“It was modeled to me that it’s safe,” she said, citing Joni Mitchell as just one songwriter from whom she learned. “I can’t think of another example of a female singer that digs down that deep.”

Coll’s music isn’t easy to define; the broad genre of Americana might be a good try. It sometimes emits a singer/songwriter folk vibe in the spirit of performers such as Joni Mitchell but also pulls inspiration from the ambient music genre or has similarities to dreamy, eclectic British art-music creator Kate Bush.

Coll’s newest release – the 14-track album Up From the Mud – is her fourth solo record. It is meant to give hope to anyone who has experienced “relational trauma.” She co-produced the record with Grammy-nominated producer Daniel Groover, who she said has been “a great musical partner.” She also brought on board guest musicians such as guitarist Jonny Daly.

“Music has always been my therapy, and as a lifelong music lover, I truly honor the sacred connection between the musician and listener,” Coll summarized. “It’s a beautiful dance where change is inevitable.”