What is Music Therapy ?

​​Music Therapy is a health care profession that combines psychology and the art of music to improve the quality of life of a person of any age and level of ability. Music therapists use music based methods to address a person's physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual needs.

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Music Therapy differs from academic and skills oriented training, as it focuses primarily on the client’s emotional expression, behaviour, personal experiences and overall well-being.

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As everybody responds to music, no prior musical skills are needed for the client to benefit from this intervention.

What positive outcomes can Music Therapy offer?

Excessive research and clinical work on the field has demonstrated the beneficial outcomes of Music Therapy intervention for clients across the life span, including: emotional expression, stress management, pain reduction, memory enhancement, physical rehabilitation, self awareness, task orientation, motivation, better mood, social interaction, independence, verbal & nonverbal communication.

Is there research to support the effectiveness of Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is an evidence based profession, which means that a substantial body of literature, combined with years of excessive research, exists to support its effectiveness. Academic and clinical research exploring the benefits of music as therapy is portrayed through publications of sources such as the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives and Voices.

How can Music Therapy increase well-being?

Music Therapy can increase well-being for people who have a balanced physical and mental health.  Such persons can use music for stress reduction via active music making (e.g. drumming), or passive music listening for relaxation. In addition, music often provides a vital support for physical exercise, and can improve motivation for people undergoing physical therapy.  Music Therapy can also assist children or adults through normal or expected life transitions (e.g. help a child with their anxiety starting school or provide comfort for women who are in labour).

Who can attend Music Therapy?

Everybody can benefit from this therapeutic intervention, and particularly people who need additional support.  These include:

• Children with learning difficulties or special needs

• Adolescents with behavioural problems

• People with physical impairments

• People with mental health challenges and/or substance abuse problems

• People who have had a brain injury (e.g. stroke)

• Elderly with Dementia.

Are there any misconceptions about Music Therapy?

As public awareness of Music Therapy is quite on its infancy in Ireland, inevitably there are some misconceptions on the field.  Such misconceptions may be that the client or patient needs to have some particular music ability to benefit from Music Therapy — they do not.  Another example is that there is one particular style of music that is more therapeutic than all the rest — this is not the case.  All styles of music can be useful in effecting positive change in a client’s life.  The individual’s preferences, circumstances, personal goals and need for treatment, help to determine the types of therapeutic techniques a music therapist may use.

For example, when working with an elderly person with from Dementia, old Irish songs can promote reminiscence, relaxation and a sense of identity.  On the other hand, when working with a teenager, hip-hop or rap music can provide a more effective avenue for connection between client and therapist.

Who is qualified to practice Music Therapy?

A music therapist is a professional who has completed educational and clinical training through an approved Music Therapy programme, usually at a Masters level, focusing on the areas of human experience, behaviour and music. The music therapist is also a member of a professional association.  In Ireland this association is IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists).

Where do Music Therapists work?

Music therapists work in a variety of areas including hospitals, residential institutions, rehabilitation units, mental health facilities, nursing homes, community health centres, palliative care units, educational settings (mainstream and special needs schools) and private practice.

Who can refer a client to Music Therapy?

Referrals can come from parents, GPs, teachers, psychologists, social workers, as well as from the client themselves.  The referrer will have to contact one of our clinics and ask for a referral form, which they will then need to fill in and return to one of the therapists.

I want my child to attend Music Therapy. What steps do I need to take now?

Please contact us via email or by phone.  One of our friendly staff will be able to assist you and arrange an appointment for you to meet with the therapist for the Intake meeting.

Can I take part in my child’s session?

This is determined during the initial meeting between you and the therapist (Intake).  If your goal is to enhance bonding between your child and yourself or another family member, then the therapist may advise you that sessions with parental/family involvement are appropriate.  On the other hand, when your child has a strong attachment towards you or another family member, it may be more appropriate to encourage the client having a one-to-one session.  It is always helpful to keep in mind that this is your child’s time for free self expression, which might not be fully encouraged if they feel watched by a parent.

I work in a service, is it possible to organise a presentation on Music Therapy?

We would be delighted to arrange a presentation or an information day at your facility where videos are shown and the therapeutic outcomes of Music Therapy are discussed.  Please contact one of our clinics to discuss further.

I want to develop a Music Therapy service in my community. What are the steps I need to take?

We would be delighted to explore the possibility of providing outreach Music Therapy services in communities.  Please contact one of our clinics and a member of our team will bring you through the various steps.

Does Music Therapy Ireland offer student/observation placements?

Due to the private and confidential nature of the Music Therapy sessions, we are currently not in a position to offer any observation placements or work experience.