The Role of Music in Supporting Veterans with PTSD

Music has been identified as a therapeutic tool for individuals living with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although, anyone who knows the power of music could have guessed the science a long time ago.

Overall, engaging with music—whether through listening, playing, or composing—can help regulate the body’s stress response by influencing the autonomic nervous system. Research shows that music therapy can reduce physiological arousal, lower cortisol levels, and promote relaxation, which can help counteract the hypervigilance and anxiety often experienced by veterans with PTSD (Landis-Shack, Heinz, & Bonn-Miller, 2017). For many, music becomes a safe space for emotional expression, allowing them to process trauma nonverbally and reconnect with feelings that may be too difficult to articulate in traditional talk therapy.

Beyond its physiological benefits, music can also cultivate connection and belonging, which are vital for recovery. Group drumming, choir participation, and songwriting workshops have been shown to build social support networks and reduce feelings of isolation among veterans. A study by Carr et al. (2012) found that group music-making among veterans helped participants rebuild trust and communication skills, which are often eroded by the effects of trauma. These communal experiences not only promote empathy and cohesion but also help re-establish a sense of identity and purpose—key factors in long-term resilience.

Moreover, creative engagement through music offers an avenue for storytelling and re-authoring one’s experience of trauma. Songwriting, in particular, allows veterans to externalize painful memories, transforming them into meaningful narratives that promote self-understanding and healing. According to research from Bensimon, Amir, and Wolf (2008), creating and performing original music enabled combat veterans to confront and integrate traumatic memories within a supportive therapeutic framework. This process of musical storytelling helps bridge the gap between past trauma and present identity, empowering individuals to reclaim control over their personal narratives and find a sense of renewal through art.

References:

• Bensimon, M., Amir, D., & Wolf, Y. (2008). Drumming through trauma: Music therapy with post-traumatic soldiers. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 35(1), 34–48.

• Carr, C., d’Ardenne, P., Sloboda, A., Scott, C., Wang, D., & Priebe, S. (2012). Group music therapy for patients with persistent post-traumatic stress disorder—an exploratory randomized controlled trial with mixed methods evaluation. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 85(2), 179–202.

• Landis-Shack, N., Heinz, A. J., & Bonn-Miller, M. O. (2017). Music therapy for posttraumatic stress in adults: A theoretical review. Psychomusicology: Music, Mind, and Brain, 27(4), 334–342.