What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is undertaken by a qualified music therapist who seeks, through a mutually developing relationship, to assist in the remediation of specific emotional, physical (sensory/motor) social or learning disorders.
Through sensitive observation and subsequent choice of appropriate elements of music, the therapist aims to establish an interaction - a shared musical experience and activity - leading to the pursuit of therapeutic goals determined by the nature of the disorder(s).
The ability to appreciate and respond to music is an inborn quality in human beings. It is well known that this ability frequently remains unimpaired by disability, injury or illness. People who have difficulty in understanding their environments, or whose verbal communication is an inadequate form of self-expression, may nevertheless be stimulated by music and respond to it.
Music therapists seek through music to arouse and engage clients to help them towards realising their potential.
Music therapists practice in a wide range of environments; being employed by the NHS, working in prisons, schools, working with groups and individual clients who have a wide variety of needs and disabilities.
A client does not have to be musically talented to engage in music therapy.
