OZO

Background music in therapy sessions: a practical guide

For therapists and practitioners: when calm bilateral music fits a session, how to set it up, and the licensing basics.

Music in a therapy or treatment room can make a space feel calmer and more private. Bilateral music adds a gentle left-right movement that some practitioners find useful in relaxation and grounding work. Here's how to use it well.

When it fits

  • At the start of a session, to help a client arrive and settle.
  • During relaxation, breathing or body-scan exercises.
  • In waiting rooms and massage rooms, as quiet ambient sound.
  • As homework: something a client can listen to between sessions.

When it doesn't

Ambient bilateral music is not a substitute for the stimulation tools and protocols used in EMDR. The speed and depth of the movement vary from track to track, and it isn't calibrated for clinical use. Some clients also find moving sound distracting, so ask before you press play.

Setting it up

  • For the bilateral effect the client needs headphones. Through room speakers it works as ordinary calm background music.
  • Keep the volume low enough that you can talk over it without raising your voice.
  • Download the music rather than relying on a connection that might drop mid-session.

Licensing basics

Most streaming services are licensed for personal use only, and playing music to clients in a business can require a public performance license depending on your country. Buying the album lets you play it offline, but check the rules where you practice.

I'm preparing a simple license for practices. If you're interested, tell me what you'd need.

By Rubén Mata Sanjuan, the musician behind OZO. Listen to a free sample on the home page, or find the full album on Apple Music.