'Music therapy is the use of sounds and
music within an evolving relationship between client/patient and therapist to
support and develop physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual
well-being' (The Handbook of Music Therapy, 2002, eds Bunt and Hoskyns)
Music can be a very powerful tool for exploring
how we feel, for expressing those emotions, for reviving memories and for
enabling relaxation.
As the music therapist, I work with both
patients and family members. In the Day Service, I facilitate groups or work
with individuals. We use music in lots of ways; making life review CDs,
listening, writing songs and exploring the sounds of the instruments. Most
people I work with don't describe themselves as musical but they are perfectly
able to use music in these ways. I also see patients in their rooms on the In-Patient Unit where they can play instruments, reminisce on musical memories or simply sit
back and listen. Patients and family members can access music therapy as
outpatients too.
We asked June, one of our patients about her experiences whilst accessing Music Therapy:
"Aspiration, exploration, experimentation. You have opportunities to investigate
instruments with a wonderful therapist who knows when to intervene or not."
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