What Is Music Therapy ?
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention held to the same standards of other psychodynamic interventions, and with same therapeutic outcomes. The difference is that the therapist is using music as the main tool for intervention.
Who can deliver Music Therapy sessions?
In order to deliver Music Therapy sessions a Music Therapist needs to complete a postgraduate course accredited by the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT), alongside 1 to 2 years' work experience gained in areas like mental health, education, special needs, or social services. The Music therapist is also trained and experienced within the field of psychoanalytic’s, diagnosis, attachment, human development and research.
Music therapists must also be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means they are regulated by this body to ensure effective, ethical, and safe best standards of practice.
Why Music Therapy?
Music therapy can be a particularly motivating way of working on ones personal goals. In order to work towards personal growth there needs to be the motivation to engage with this process. The creation of music can be highly motivating, as well a useful alternative to talking when things may feel initially too difficult to talk about.
Much of my work has also been with clients who are non-verbal. Music Therapy provides a platform for those who do not have words to express themselves and offers an alternative form of communication.
Music Therapy offers expression in multiple forms; verbal, musical, and physical. This embodied experience can be very empowering and impactful for clients.
Neurological research shows that music has the ability to activate across all areas of the brain. This offers the unique opportunity to engage alternative routes to specific areas in the brain. For example, if there is damage to the left hemisphere where the language center is located, music can offer a way to engage here by taking the ‘backroads’ to desired location.
Neuropsychological research also demonstrates how music has a measured effect on the release of ‘feel good’ neurochemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain. Music can effect secretion of endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, melatonin/cortisol, oxytocin and norepinephrine.
