What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is a psycholigical approach that uses music to support people's health and wellbeing.
Who is music therapy for?
Music therapy can help people of any age, including people affected by injury, illness or disability. Music therapy can support emotional, psychological, social, communication, cognitive and physical needs.
Music therapy often takes place within hospitals and healthcare settings, residential care homes, early years, primary and secondary schools, community and charity organisations, and in private venues.
What is a music therapist?
Music therapy is delivered by qualified professionals who can call themselves either 'Music Therapist' or 'Arts Therapist (Music)'.
They are Allied Health Professionals and are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
They need to uphold standards of conduct performance and ethics, proficiency, and continuing professional development.
Anyone can check the HCPC register https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/
What happens in music therapy?
Music therapy begins with the development of a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the person attending music therapy. The relationship grows through shared musical experiences and collaborative music making. By playing, singing, listening and responding to each other in the moment, a unique communication style develops in response to individual needs and preferences.
Music therapy might involve different styles and types of music and a wide range of instruments, including the voice. The music is often created together, but can also include pre-composed songs and pieces of music.
How does music therapy help?
Music therapy can help people to find their own, unique ways to express themselves, connect with others, and explore the world around them. Music therapy can take place with or without words.
Aims for music therapy are as unique as each person, and may emerge and change throughout the therapeutic journey.
Common areas of focus for music therapy include;
- communication and interaction
- confidence and social skills
- emotional and mental health
- rehabilitation and physical needs
- support for older people and dementia care
Music Therapy for Individuals
Laura Jayne Duncan offers Music Therapy sessions weekly, either in-person or online.
Music therapy is appropriate for individuals at any stage of life.
Each music therapy session, each musical moment, and every therapeutic relationship happens in response to individual needs and preferences and are as unique as the individual attending music therapy.
Music therapy sessions are offered via a therapeutic agreement, following a referral or self-referral and a free assessment.
A music therapy assessment will take place in-person or online and will include information gathering, risk-assessment, and recommendations for music therapy.
For online sessions, individuals will need a safe, suitable space, and their own internet connected device.
In-person music therapy sessions will take place at a suitable, fully risk-assessed setting.
Children and adults at risk who attend in-person or online music therapy must be supported by a parent, carer, or an appropriate adult throughout sessions. For those who self-refer, details of an emergency contact and consent to video record the sessions will be required.
Formal reporting and/or feedback can be provided to professionals involved in an individual’s care and support.
Please contact me to find out more details and costs for individual music therapy.
Following an initial enquiry or referral, there may be a short waiting period before a free assessment takes place.
Music Therapy for Organisations
On-site, music therapy services are delivered, designed around, and integrated into your organisation.
Please contact me to find out about how music therapy could support and enrich your organisation, and to discuss the needs of your organisation and those you support.
Currently delivering across Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Greater Glasgow, music therapy services are delivered weekly, across an agreed number of weeks.
Setting specific assessment, evaluation and outcome measures are included in all services longer than 12 weeks.
Please contact me to find out more details and costs.
Telephone: 07711 798 968
E-mail: laura.duncan@ljdmusic.com