Music and Music Therapy

Music can affect us in so many ways. It may soothe us, temper us, stimulate us, or organize us. The music therapist and client join together in listening to music, singing, playing instruments, composing, moving to music, or improvising in order to achieve therapeutic goals. The music therapist adapts repertoire and activities to suit the needs of the client.

The music therapist adjusts how music is shared with a client according to the client’s responses, while taking into consideration the clinical goals and objectives for that client.

A music therapist employs musical elements in various ways in order to achieve clinical goals.  For example, while singing a song together, the stimulus of the music may precipitate increased word recall,  or strength and clarity of vocalisation. Sometimes feelings are stimulated: Sorrow may increase or happiness creeps in and spills over.

Trained as clinicians to assess and evaluate, the music therapist notices in what ways the client is participating and what the client is doing well;  The music therapist supports the client to progress from strength to strength.

The Benefits

Music therapy is (fun and yet) seriously helpful for social cognitive learning challenges, mood disorders, sleep disturbances, memory loss, grief, trauma, pain reduction and control, stroke recovery, rehabilitation, chronic illness and more…

Music therapy is a stimulus for emotional, psychological and spiritual well being; The benefits of Music therapy extend beyond the individual client to the family and caregivers.