What is it?

According to the British Association for music therapist (https://www.bamt.org/music-therapy/what-is-music-therapy.html)

“Music therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention, which is delivered by HCPC registered music therapists to help people whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability through supporting their psychological, emotional, cognitive, physical, communicative and social needs”.

Music therapy is an interactive, primarily non-verbal intervention. It provides a process through which the clients can express themselves, become aware of their feelings and interacts more easily.

The ability to appreciate and respond to music is an inborn quality in human beings. One of the central beliefs of Music Therapy is that everyone can respond to music despite illness, injury or disability.

For those people who find verbal communication an inadequate form of self-expression, Music Therapy provides a confidential setting in which emotions can be contained and explored in a safe way, facilitated by the musical relationship.    Music Therapists use the power of music to make contact with people, to help them overcome their difficulties and to draw out their potential.

What happens in a session?  

The length of each session depends on the age of the client. The sessions usually last between 30-45 minutes depending on the group/individual and are offered at the same time and place weekly.

A music therapist forms a therapeutic relationship with the client through live musical interaction and play. Clients are provided with a range of tuned and un-tuned percussion instruments and each sound is heard as part of wider communication, by the therapist, who responds to the client’s sounds with their own.

“A wide range of musical styles and instruments can be used, including the voice, and the music is often improvised. Using music in this way enables clients to create their own unique musical language in which to explore and connect with the world and express themselves”.

Music therapy is also informed by psychoanalytic thinking and the study of pre-verbal relationships. 

Who can benefit?

Children, Adolescents & Adults

• Autistic Spectrum Condition
• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Learning Disabilities
• Behavioural Issues
• Emotional Issues such as
  • trauma
  • attachment disorder
  • looked after children
  • adopted children
• Social Communication Issues
• Mental Health Issues
• Hospice Care

Also it can be very beneficial for elderly suffering from:

• Dementia
• Altzheimer