The Use of Song Lyrics as an Expressive Arts Tool in Counseling: A Literature Review

Music has been used as a tool for emotional management in counseling for many years. This review of the literature examines the use of music and sharing song lyrics as tools for emotional processing as a component of expressive arts therapy. Following a brief summary of the historical and clinical context of sharing song lyrics in counseling, empirical literature including the practice of using song lyrics in various clinical settings is explored. Empirical literature related to expressive arts therapy including the use of songs and song lyrics is critically examined, concluding with suggestions for further research and implications for practice.