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Music therapy is based on the understanding that all human beings are able to respond
to music, irrespective of musical ability. It involves the use of sound, rhythm and improvised
music in order to form a musical relationship between the child or young person and the
therapist.
Music therapy sessions can offer people a different experience of shared play, interaction,
learning and understanding, through verbal and non-verbal modes of communication. In
practical terms, this may involve music making with instruments, song, music technology,
sound, talking, listening, and opportunities for client led play.
In this therapeutic relationship, the child or young person can respond and discover a
sense of self. In this respect, we explore the client’s individual potential and identity
within a therapeutic process that’s designed especially for them in a safe and creative
environment.
It’s helped me and my son an awful lot because before he started coming here he had terrible
problems at school, very frustrated and angry all the time, and just breaking things, terrible
ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). We took him along and it was the best thing
I’ve ever done because since then it’s like it’s another part of his life where
he enjoys it and I think also when he’s in there he can release frustration that he
can’t at home. He can beat the drums or he can put his words into his music and into
songs and his anger. When he first started coming his songs were like heavy metal but
now they’re more mellow, so it’s definitely worked and I would advise other mums out there
to get their children into music therapy because it has been a very big part of my life and
a very happy part of my life.
It makes me better at getting frustrated, because I’m having fun. Because I’m always
sitting down in the chair and I always fall asleep and they tell me to wake up and I get
frustrated and angry.
Children and young people will often experience emotional challenges at different stages of
their lives. Illness, communication difficulties or disability may be contributing factors.
Traumatic experiences, change and loss can also have an impact on their wellbeing. Music
therapy can address specific symptoms, but change is achieved through working with the
person as a whole. Referrals are based on the child or young person’s particular emotional
needs such as feeling safe and the potential for improved relationships or reduced isolation
- not simply on a medical diagnosis.
As a commissioner of music therapy services we find the benefits to children are extensive.
Children’s needs vary in terms of medical needs to social communication needs and our
aim is to ensure that children develop the social skills that help them towards the academic
skills. Joint working is very important and music therapy is part of a range of services
that we use to benefit individual children.
Oxleas Music Therapy Service offers assessment and music therapy for children and young people
who have a Greenwich GP from infancy to 19 years old. This may involve individual or
group sessions, either on a short or long term basis. Sessions take place weekly and
usually last about half an hour.
We also offer an under fives service which includes both music therapy and Interactive
music making. This service aims to promote early child development through play and music
making. Working with children under five means that we can support the identification of
a child’s needs at an early stage and target appropriate support for the child and family
where necessary. Interactive music making also aims to share accessible skills in musical
play with parents and professionals in the local community.
Music therapy work with a child or young person is reviewed at regular intervals in order
to ensure that information sharing sensitive to an individual’s needs takes place between
parents/carers and professionals involved. Music therapy sessions support education and
health professionals to better support children’s needs.
If other parents are looking for a therapy I would recommend music therapy because it
is really good and it helps improve the children with this kind of condition – autistic,
which Samuel has. It is really good – I would advise parents to bring their children
here.
The Music Therapy Service accepts referrals for children from professionals in the health
service, social care, education and the voluntary sector. This includes: speech and language
therapists; GPs; social workers; and teachers. You can approach any of these professionals
or community workers to request a music therapy referral for your child. Professionals must
seek parent or carer permission before a referral is made. If you are under the age of 19 and
would like to receive music therapy, you can talk to your GP or school about being referred.