What is music therapy for?
Music therapy aims to support people to achieve non-musical outcomes relating to mental health, communication and general wellbeing. In music therapy, a person develops a relationship with a music therapist and music might become a tool to work towards clinical aims, set out and agreed with the music therapist. Some people wish explore the non-verbal nature of music and arts therapies and participants aren’t required to possess any level of musicianship to engage meaningfully in music therapy. For more information, please refer to the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) website: bamt.org
Who is music therapy for?
Music therapy can be for anyone. Music therapy happens in a wide variety of settings including, but not limited to: schools, hospitals, community centres, specialist education providers, care homes, hospices and in private practices. People might be referred for music therapy for mental health conditions, communication disorders, cognitive disorders, brain injury, or dementia support. Music therapy is for people of any age: from neonatal infants and children to young or older adults.
Where can I find a music therapist?
Music therapy is a profession regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). In the UK, a clinician must undertake a masters level qualification in music therapy from an accredited institution in order to practise using the protected title of ‘music therapist.’