Censoring Music in Therapy Sessions
One of the questions I occasionally hear is, “Do you allow explicit music in therapy?” My answer is simple: censoring music in music therapy sessions is not something I do. That sometimes surprises people– especially those who assume therapy should only involve calm, uplifting, or “appropriate” songs. But healing is rarely that tidy.
Music therapy is not about creating a sanitized playlist.
It is about using music as a tool for insight, emotional expression, connection, and growth. If I only allowed songs that were cheerful, polished, or socially acceptable– I would be shutting the door on some of the most honest emotional material a client can bring into the room.
People often choose songs that reflect what they feel but cannot yet say out loud.
Anger, grief, heartbreak, shame, loneliness, numbness, rage, confusion—these emotions do not always come wrapped in gentle acoustic guitar and inspirational lyrics. Sometimes they come through hard rock, raw rap, profanity-laced pop, metal, punk, or songs others might dismiss as “negative.” But negative does not always mean harmful. Sometimes it means truthful.
When a client says, “This song is exactly how I feel,” that matters. The song may contain language I would never use in casual conversation, but therapy is not about my personal preferences. It is about meeting the client where they are. If a song helps someone feel seen, understood, less alone, or more able to process emotion– then it has therapeutic value.
Censoring music can also unintentionally send a damaging message: Your feelings are too messy for this space.
Many people come to therapy after years of being told they are too much, too emotional, too angry, too sensitive, or too complicated. If I reject the music that resonates with them, they may hear rejection of themselves.
That does not mean every song is automatically useful, or that anything goes without thought. Context matters. We explore questions such as: What draws you to this song right now? What emotions show up when you hear it? Does it help you process feelings, or does it keep you stuck? Does it energize you, numb you, comfort you, or trigger you? The goal is not passive listening—it is intentional exploration.
Sometimes a song full of rage helps someone safely access anger they have suppressed for years. Sometimes a heartbreaking ballad opens the door to grief that has been buried. Sometimes an aggressive anthem helps a person reclaim power after trauma. And sometimes, after exploring a song, a client realizes it no longer fits who they are becoming. That realization can be just as therapeutic as loving the song.
Music therapy is not about endorsing every lyric or glorifying destructive behavior.
It is about curiosity, reflection, and using music as a mirror. Songs can reveal patterns, wounds, needs, memories, and hopes. They can help us name what has been unnamed.
Healing does not always sound pretty. Sometimes it is loud. Sometimes it swears. Sometimes it cries. Sometimes it rages before it softens.
I don’t censor music in therapy because I don’t want to censor people. And often, the songs others judge most quickly are the ones carrying the deepest truths. If you’re curious about how this approach might help you– I’m always happy to answer questions!
