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What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is both a science and an art. It is the use of sounds and music to support and develop an individual's physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing. A relationship between the client and therapist evolves over time through their shared involvement in the music.
Music therapy is a positive approach to emotional and communication difficulties, without the use of drugs. It can enable people to cope with their feelings and to function socially, whatever their age. All music therapists employed by the Trust are highly trained, both as musicians and therapists. The profession has achieved state registration status.
Many of the people we help are not able to speak for a variety of reasons or have such damaged speech that they cannot make themselves understood. This communication difficulty can lead to high levels of frustration often accompanied by anger, isolation and loneliness. Music therapy is based on the fact that, in some way, everyone is attracted to and responds to music and sounds. We listen to music that we like. It can change our mood, calm us, excite us, or even make us want to dance! In a unique way it communicates with us without words.
As the ability to respond to music is usually unaffected by disability, illness or injury, music can often reach someone who is finding communication difficult. Music therapists use the unique qualities of music as the basis for building a relationship with a client, with the aims of developing and encouraging physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
People are not taught how to play an instrument, but invited to improvise on readily accessible instruments, such as drums and other percussion. The music therapist supports and helps to develop the shared music making.