Music Therapy

What is Music Therapy?

Music has always been a powerful tool for expression and has the capacity to touch our emotions deeply.  Music therapy is based on the understanding that the ability to respond to and experience oneself through music is an inborn quality in human beings.  This ability usually remains unimpaired by disability, injury or illness, and is not dependant on musical training.

In music therapy, the therapist and the child improvise freely together and communicate with each other through their shared music.  They gradually establish a musical relationship in which emotions can be expressed, explored and worked through within a safe and confidential environment.

A music therapist is a skilled musician who has completed a Department of Health approved Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy.  Music Therapy is an established profession in the Health Service Profession allied to Medicine.

What are the aims of Music Therapy?

The aims of music therapy are therapeutic, rather than musical. The overall aim of the therapist is to be closely involved with the development of the whole child and to help him/her to achieve his/her full potential. This can mean:

• Encouraging communication skills
• Helping the child to relate to others and build rewarding relationships
• Developing a positive and creative means of expressing feelings that, for whatever reason, cannot be put into words
• Helping the child to grow towards milestones in child development, such as babbling, experimenting with voice, developing communicative skills and the ability to play spontaneously and imaginatively.
• Developing individuality, self awareness, motivation, confidence, initiative, creativity and choice.

What happens in a session?

During the session the child will be encouraged to use his/her voice and to experiment with the various percussion and melodic instruments available.  These instruments can all be played by someone with no previous skill to create satisfying and expressive sounds. The child will have the opportunity to freely explore the world of sound and create his/her unique musical language. By responding musically the therapist is able to support and encourage this process of growth and discovery.

The therapist uses a variety of clinical methods to meet the child's individual needs. Sessions may also include the use of structured activities such as songs or musical games and, when appropriate, verbal reflection on the music created or any issue arising.

How often will Music Therapy session take place?

Sessions are usually arranged on a weekly basis. The core of the music therapy process is the developing relationship between the child and the therapist. For this relationship to grow and develop it is vital that both child and parents make a commitment to attending the sessions regularly. Missed sessions affect the child's trust and ability to respond freely and disrupt the therapeutic process.

What role do the parents take?

We all need time to ourselves without being observed, praised or judged for what we do by the people closest to us. Music therapy provides such a time for the child. Except in the case of very young children, it is usual for the child to be alone with the therapist during the sessions.

The content of the music therapy sessions is confidential to child and therapist. This is a normal and important part of the way all therapists work and is a matter of respect for the child rather than secrecy or exclusivity.

The therapist will give the parents a general picture of how the child is responding to the therapist and tell them about anything essential.  A separate appointment can be made to discuss any questions or concerns. In addition, parents will usually receive copies of the therapist's reports and reviews. These are generally shared with other professionals working with your child.

When does therapy end?

Each child requires a different amount of time in order to bring about changes in his/her capacity for communication and in both his/her emotional world and outer behaviour. It is difficult to predict at the outset how long a child may need to benefit from the music therapy sessions and so progress is monitored and regularly reviewed at agreed intervals. In all cases, it is important that as therapy comes to an end, the child is well prepared for this, to allow integration and an organic completion of the therapeutic relationship

This information is taken from a leaflet produced on behalf of the Otakar Kraus Music Trust. Music therapy is available in the Harrow, Middlesex locality. Please quote " The Harrow Project" when contacting Carmen Coles on clcoles@blueyonder.co.uk 

Other useful links (links open in new window)

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy UK: http://www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk/

Publications on Music Therapy: http://www.jkp.com/catalogue/index.php?cat=music

BBC Parents Music Room: http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/parents/features/therapy.shtml