Group Music Therapy programmes are tailored to meet the needs of the participants, focusing on their social skills, creativity and potential.

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Music Therapy groups can be run for a number of different reasons and in different settings. These can include: care of the elderly (e.g. in nursing homes, in dementia care units), various support groups (e.g. special needs, palliative care, mental health, neurological impairments, grief), as well as parent-infant groups.​

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Group Music Therapy is used when the dynamics of a group interaction is deemed to be of greater benefit than working with a client on a one-to-one basis. 

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Group programmes enable participants to:​

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• Freely express themselves in an uninhibited way​

• Explore their own creativity

• Feel supported and heard​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Connect and interact with each other (thus reducing feelings of isolation)​

• Learn how to share experiences and learn from each other’s experiences

• Find a shared meaning and shared understanding (e.g. when dealing with difficult transitions in life)​

• Build their self-esteem by shifting the focus to their ability, rather than their disability or weakness​

• Get support through an alternative intervention, especially for those who are not able to cope with one-to-one intervention

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Positive outcomes from a Music Therapy group programme can be categorised into the following main areas:

 

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Communication and Self Expression

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• ​Helps establish connection and encourages communication (verbal and non-verbal)

• Provides new ways for participants to articulate needs, wants and desires

• Enhances vocalisation and speech (e.g. through singing and song writing)

• Promotes breath control and helps develop the oromotor skills required for speech

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Self Regulation (Behaviour and Emotions)

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• Enables emotional expression in a safe environment

• Promotes recognition of emotion in self and others

• Improves motivation

• Promotes confidence and self-esteem, focusing on what the client CAN do, through the development of their creativity (e.g. song writing, instrument playing, choice making)

• Decreases feelings of stress, agitation and anxiety and promotes relaxation

• Allows the client to reflect on the creative process and discuss feelings that emerge​

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​Skill Development

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• Enhances attention/focus to task

• Helps the client develop new skills through their own creativity

• Enhances learning and memory and stimulates various mental processes, including comprehension, conceptualising and symbolising

• Improves the client’s motor skills (e.g. fine motor control through instrument play) and promotes movement and body awareness through movement to music, songs, dance, rhythmic exercises and imitation techniques

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Social Interaction and Support​

   

• Promotes social skills and decreases feelings of social withdrawal

• Enhances bonding between the client and their family (e.g. parent-child)

• Facilitates interactions and support within the group

• Promotes necessary interactive behaviours (e.g. attention, eye contact, turn-taking, listening to others)

• Offers the opportunity for clients to gain mutual support and create friendships.

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