Music Therapy at Whitefield
Introduction:
Music has long been referred to as healing the soul, opening the heart and revitalising the body. The Whitefield Music Therapy Service provides music therapy to pupils who require therapeutic input for their mental health & emotional well-being, in addition to classroom teaching. The following information will explain music therapy in the UK, what is music therapy, and how music therapy works at Whitefield School. It describes why someone might require music therapy and help you consider making a referral for your child.
UK Music therapy
In the UK, music therapy is a state registered profession with the Health and Care Professions Council. This UK body regulates all the arts therapies (Music, dance, art, and movement), speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, occupational health and other allied health professions. In that context, it is not simply recreation or music education but a medium that promotes health and wellbeing through a number of different styles and approaches. Music therapists apply their skills in a therapeutic context with a purpose. This happens in a wide number of settings beyond special schools. These include private work, hospices, psychiatric care and hospitals. The British Association of Music Therapy (www.bamt.org) can provide further information on this, including becoming a music therapist or further reading on therapy in practice.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the use of music to address and fulfil the needs of an individual or group: increasing communication, social skills and mental health & well-being. This involves using music to address some of the underlying issues that create intense feelings that impact the pupil’s perception, processing and understanding.
These may include:
- communication and interaction
- cognitive development & thinking
- personal expression of feelings, thoughts and emotions
- self-awareness as we recognise, organise and regulate our inner world
- awareness of others increasing empathy and relationship
Addressing these areas of development through music therapy may develop self-esteem and inner authority to empower the pupil in their learning journey and their relationships with this community.