What is Music Therapy?

In what sort of environment does Music Therapy take place?

Who is Music Therapy for?

How can Music Therapy help?

Where do Music Therapists work?

How many Music Therapists work in the UK?

How do I train as a Music Therapist?

How do I contact a Music Therapist?

Can Music Therapy Cure?

Does Music Therapy teach Musical Skills?

Is there a Music Therapy Method?

What is Music Therapy?

There are different approaches to the use of music in therapy. Depending on the needs of the client and the orientation of the therapist, different aspects of the work may be emphasised. Fundamental to all approaches, however, is the development of a relationship between the client and therapist. Music-making forms the basis for communication in this relationship.

As a general rule both client and therapist take an active part in the sessions by playing, singing and listening. The therapists does not teach the client to sing or play an instrument. Rather, clients are encouraged to use accessible percussion and other instruments and their own voices to explore the world of sound and to create a musical language of their own. By responding musically, the therapist is able to support and encourage this process.

The music played covers a wide range of styles in order to complement the individual needs of each client. Much of the music is improvised, thus enhancing the individual nature of each relationship. Through whatever form the therapy takes, the therapist aims to facilitate positive changes in behaviour and emotional well-being. He or she also aims to help the client to develop an increased sense of self-awareness, and thereby to enhance his or her quality of life. The process may take place in individual or group music therapy sessions.

In what sort of environment does Music Therapy take place?

For music therapy to be most effective, certain conditions are essential. They are:

General

1. A music therapy room which is private, where there is little chance of being overheard or disturbed.
2. Instruments that are varied in timbre and of good quality. These should preferably include a good piano.
3. Time for planning and assessment of each session. Tape and video facilities for recording the work should also be available.

Clinical Considerations

1. Clients should meet in the same room (preferably a specific music therapy room) and at the same time each week.
2. Whether a group is to be closed or open should be decided beforehand as should the length of time for each session.
3. Consistency and commitment of members of staff who attend the sessions are vital.

Who is Music Therapy for ?

Music therapists work with adults and children of all ages. People who can benefit from music therapy include:

Adult
Children (Pre-School, Primary [Key Stage 1-2] and Secondary [Key Stage 3-4])
Elderly
Adolescent (outside of school/education system)
Learning Disabilities
Mental Health
Forensic
Prison
Hospice
Neurology
HIV/AIDS
Addiction
Challenging Behaviour
Autism
Communication Disorders
Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties
Epilepsy
Normal Neurotic
Stress Management
Eating Disorders
Sexual Abuse
Music Therapy Students (personal therapy)
Student Training (placement/teaching)
Music therapy is also increasingly being sought by people who may not have specific difficulties but who would like to gain insight into themselves and their ways of relating to others.

How can Music Therapy help?

The benefits gained from music therapy may be as varied as the needs of the clients using the service.

For example, music can convey feeling without the use of words. For a person whose difficulties are mainly emotional, music therapy can provide a safe setting where difficult or repressed feelings may be expressed and contained. By offering support and acceptance the therapist can help the client to work towards emotional release and self-acceptance.

Music is essentially a social activity involving communication, listening and sharing. These skills may be developed within the musical relationship with the therapist and, in group therapy, with other members. As a result clients may develop a greater awareness of themselves in relation to others. This can include developing greater confidence in their own ability to make relationships and to find positive ways of making their needs known. It can greatly enhance their self-esteem.

Music can be a great motivator and can be used to promote developmental work, for example with clients with physical and/or learning disabilities. Involvement in creative music-making can assist physical awareness and develop attention, memory and concentration. Obviously, as each person’s needs are different, the various possibilities offered by music therapy will not be so easy to separate. Rather, there will normally be a considerable overlap between the areas described.

Where do Music Therapists work?

Music therapists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, special schools, day centres, the community, the prison service and in private practice.

This means that they may be employed by the National Health Service, local education authority or the Department of Social Services. Some may be funded by charitable organisations or trusts or be self-employed.

In all work settings, music therapists function as part of a multi-disciplinary team, their observations adding greatly to the understanding of each client’s needs, abilities or problems.

How many Music Therapists work in the UK?

Music therapy has become established as a profession during the last 30 years and there are now more than 600 registered music therapists in the UK belonging to the Association of Professional Music Therapists (APMT).

How do I train as a Music Therapist?

See the Career page for further details.

How do I contact a Music Therapist?

If you need to contact a music therapist to arrange music therapy sessions, the APMT have an Employment Circular that is sent out to all our members each month.  Our members are fully qualified and registered music therapists.  We can put a small advert in the Circular for private jobs.  All we need are brief details of who the therapy is for, the area in which you live and a contact name and telephone number.  The names and numbers are not circulated.  Any therapists who are local to you, working in private practice can then contact the office and your details will be passed on.  There is no charge for this service for individuals.  If you are an organisation wishing to advertise please contact the Administrator for current advertising rates.  The Employment Circular is sent out at the beginning of each month.

Can Music Therapy Cure?

Music therapy can affect the whole individual, but it cannot be guaranteed to make the individual ‘whole’; a number of conditions may be irreversible. In some instances, music therapy can check deterioration, while act as a healing agent in others.

Does Music Therapy teach Musical Skills?

Music therapy is not a substitute for music lessons. Clients will often acquire certain musical skills in the course of a music therapy programme, such as sensitivity to pitch, rhythmic control, awareness of form, manipulative control etc... These skills, whilst constituting an important part of the therapy programme, are likely to be secondary to pre-determined therapeutic objectives.

Is there a Music Therapy Method?

Each therapy programme is designed according to the individual client’s needs and the therapist’s approach. Elements within the therapeutic relationship generally include musical improvisation using instruments and voice.  The music made may be verbally reflected upon depending on the approach of the therapist.  Music Therapy might be offered in groups or individually which would be decided upon after assessment.