Over the years, countless singers have told me how much choir has supported their mental wellbeing.
There’s no doubt: singing together has real therapeutic benefits. But we need to be clear — it isn’t the same as therapy.
Many people arrive at rehearsal carrying the weight of everyday life — stress from work, exhaustion from raising a family, or the loneliness that can creep in when life feels overwhelming. Yet, after just two hours of singing together, those same singers often leave transformed — lighter, brighter, smiling.
I’ve already written at length about how singing together is beneficial:
The healing power of choirs: how singing together is good for your mental health
What is unique about singing together?
How those little social interactions in choir make your happier
All of this shows that choir can be wonderfully therapeutic. But again, it is not therapy.
That distinction matters. Singing together often asks for openness and vulnerability. When people share their voices, they may also be touching on tender, unseen parts of their lives. As choir leaders, we’re not therapists, and it isn’t our role to unpack those stories.
But we do have a responsibility.
We shouldn’t end a rehearsal by leaving everyone floating in that raw, creative space. Instead, it’s wise to create a gentle transition back to the here and now — whether through grounding activities, laughter, or simple closure.
Choir is not therapy, but it is a space that can profoundly affect people. And with that comes a duty of care for our singers.
You might want to check out this related podcast episode from Unmuted: Choir isn't therapy (but you can find therapy in choir).
Chris Rowbury
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