What is music therapy?
Who is music therapy for?
Who is a music therapist?
Who pays for music therapy?
Who to contact for music therapy

Our ability to respond to music is usually unaffected by disability, illness or injury. Music can often reach someone who is finding communication difficult - it can be a channel for self-expression. Music therapists use the unique qualities of music as the means of establishing a connection with their clients, working with them through the music they create to help them cope better with their lives.

  What is Music Therapy

You may have come across music therapy already…. it is a creative, non-verbal tool - a powerful and highly effective therapy. Music therapy is a creative therapy, increasingly recognised as a valuable part of the care of people who have sensory, physical, learning or neurological disabilities, or who have emotional or behavioural problems. For many, the powers of speech are at best limited. Music therapy is used to help people work through emotional issues enabling them to cope better with their lives.
Our ability to respond to music is usually unaffected by disability, illness or injury. Music can often reach someone who is finding communication difficult: it can be a channel for self expression. In music therapy, musical skills are not required for someone to benefit from this special work; rather, music therapists use the unique qualities of music as the means of establishing a connection with their clients.
Over time, a trusting relationship can develop through the music which therapist and client create together, and this can facilitate physical, mental, social and emotional development.

• Observed benefits include:
• participation and engagement
• improved communication and social skills
• enhanced awareness of self and others
• release of frustration
• personal satisfaction and achievement
• decreased tension, anxiety and challenging behaviour
• improved confidence and motivation
• enjoyment and improved quality of life

 

   Who is Music Therapy For?

Music therapists work with people of all ages who experience emotional and communication difficulties as a result of:

• cerebral palsy or other physical disabilities
• neurological problems
• dementia
• sensory impairments
• terminal illness
• mental health problems
• learning difficulties
• stress
• autistic spectrum disorders

For instance, some of our clients at Hampshire MusicSpace have autism - which results in difficulties, particularly in the area of forming relationships. Autistic children or adults are invariably isolated, making life a distressing experience for their families. Music therapy helps them to discover positive ways of expressing themselves and relating to others.
Another group of clients have learning difficulties speech is often lacking or an inadequate form of self-expression. The non-verbal medium of music makes sense, even when words do not. Playing and singing can be possible even when expressive verbal communication is so limited.

 

   What training has a Music Therapist undergone?

A music therapist is a skilled musician who has undergone professional music therapy training. Music therapists are registered through the Health Professions Council (HPC).

   Who pays for Music Therapy?

Funding is usually from school, day centre or health authority budgets, or by private individuals. In some cases HMS can provide assistance towards meeting the cost of fees in the form of sponsorship for limited periods (these funds stem from donations through our Friends of HMS - please consider becoming a Friend to support this valuable work).

 

   Who to contact for Music Therapy?

To find out more about music therapy or to discuss setting up music therapy sessions through Hampshire MusicSpace, please contact Beccy Read state registered music therapist and Hampshire MusicSpace co-ordinator. You can contact Beccy either by email or at the Winchester Centre office