Music therapy helps Veteran heal from PTSD
A Mississippi Air National Guard sergeant who struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder found relief through an unexpected treatment option at her VA medical center: music therapy. Sgt. RaMonica Felton, who serves in information protection and deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates in 2021, experienced racing heart, emotional outbursts, and overwhelming stress that affected her daily life and relationships with her husband and four children. Working with a board-certified music therapist at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery Veterans Affairs Medical Center, she learned to use carefully designed playlists as practical tools to manage her PTSD symptoms wherever she goes.
Music therapy is a clinical service provided by board-certified and licensed music therapists who use music intentionally to help veterans meet specific treatment goals. Unlike music lessons, these sessions focus on therapeutic outcomes and may include songwriting, lyric discussions, guided relaxation, learning simple instruments, or building personalized playlists that support emotional regulation and healthy coping skills. The program is available through VA medical centers and requires no prior musical experience or ability to participate.
Veterans dealing with PTSD and other mental health conditions can access music therapy as part of their VA care. The treatment offers particular value for those who find it difficult to express traumatic experiences through traditional talk therapy alone. Felton herself wasn't sure what to expect when she first learned about the program, but what began as an unfamiliar treatment became one of her most valuable recovery tools.
Felton worked with music therapist Jade Witt to create different playlists for various emotional states. Gospel music helps her reflect and find comfort during quiet moments, while more energetic songs meet her where she is emotionally before gradually easing her into a calmer state. When her heart races or her chest feels tight, the music helps bring her "from 100 back down to zero," providing immediate relief she can access whether she's driving, at work, or spending time with family.
For disabled veterans managing PTSD and related conditions, music therapy represents an evidence-based treatment option that extends beyond the therapy room. The skills learned during sessions become portable coping mechanisms that integrate into daily routines, offering veterans greater control over their symptoms and improved quality of life. Felton reports that the techniques she learned have strengthened her relationships and helped her better understand herself, demonstrating how complementary therapies can support overall recovery alongside other treatments.
Music therapy also addresses a common barrier in PTSD treatment: the difficulty of finding words to describe traumatic experiences. By providing an alternative pathway to process difficult emotions and memories, the therapy can help veterans who have struggled with traditional approaches or who need additional tools in their recovery toolkit. The treatment focuses on building practical skills that veterans can use independently long after formal therapy sessions end.
Veterans interested in music therapy should ask their VA primary care provider or mental health clinician about availability at their local VA medical center. Those already enrolled in VA health care can inquire about referrals to music therapy services as part of their existing treatment plan. Veterans not currently receiving VA care can contact their nearest VA facility to learn about enrollment eligibility and available mental health services, including complementary and integrative health approaches like music therapy.