Is life becoming too difficult to manage?​​​​​​​​​​​

 

Are you concerned about someone’s ability to cope?

 

Are you or someone you care about affected by a mental health condition?

 

​Music Therapy is an appropriate intervention for those who are finding it difficult to cope or need additional support, as well as those who are affected by a mental health condition, such as:  Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia, Eating Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders, Impulse control and ​​​​​​​​​​Addiction disorders.​

 

Research and clinical work clearly indicates that Music Therapy is a powerful intervention in Mental Health care.  It can notably reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, diminish negative symptoms, reduce social isolation, facilitate group cohesion and most importantly, motivate.​

 

 

 

 

 

 

​The World Health Organisation defines Mental Health as “the state of well-being whereby individuals recognise their abilities, are able to cope with normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully and make a contribution to their communities” .

 

 

 

 

 

A range of Music Therapy programmes are availalbe to assist those affected by a mental health condition, to help them restore some equilibrium ​​​​​​​​​​in their lives.​ All of our programmes are tailored to meet the needs of the individual and can be provided in either an individualised ​​​​​​​​​​or group ​​​​​​​​​​manner.​ While active participation is the ultimate goal, Music Therapy can still be effective if the individual is not yet ready to participate in an active manner.

 

Music Therapy is used to explore personal feelings ​​​​​​​​​​and make positive changes​​​​​​​​​​ in mood and emotional states, while also providing the person with a sense of control ​​​​​​​​​​through the opportunity to engage in choice​​​​​​​​​​ making.​

 

Strong body of research supports the capability of music to enhance a person’s psychological well-being​​​​​​​​​​ and inject positivity ​​​​​​​​​​into their lives. 

 

Music has an uplifting power and is a wonderful form of self-expression​​​​​​​​​​ – therefore, listening to it or participating in it can change a person’s mood ​​​​​​​​​​and bring about movement to a different place.

 

The way in which clients interact ​​​​​​​​​​musically, often reflects how they relate to people in their daily lives. The music process helps them achieve greater self-awareness​​​​​​​​​​, which leads to positive changes in their relationships​​​​​​​​​​.​

 

Applied in a group setting, Music Therapy provides an environment of understanding, acceptance, cohesion, trust, mutual respect, support​​​​​​​​​​ and enjoyment​​​​​​​​​​​​​​. It also promotes an environment of open social interaction​​​​​​​​​​, where clients use musical elements freely to build relationships​​​​​​​​​​, feel being listened to​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ and gain support​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​from the therapist and other group members.

 

 

 

 

 

The greatest advantage of this therapeutic intervention is that it is non-intrusive ​​​and ​​​​​​​​​​​does not rely solely on verbal process.​​​​​​​​​​  Overall, Music Therapy:​

 

• Provides psychological support

• Promotes self-awareness and understanding

• Promotes mindfulness and reduces levels of stress and anxiety

• Reduces agitation and promotes positive behaviours

• Helps individuals to develop coping strategies

• Enhances self-esteem by enabling successful participation in activities and through the development of the person’s creativity

• Promotes participation and socialisation which helps to reduce feelings of social isolation

• Enhances social/interpersonal skills

• Facilitates speech and communication

• Enhances the quality of relationships, family interactions and support

• Enhances self-expression and emotional response by providing a safe place to communicate emotions

• Engages and develops attention

• ​Improves functional skills (e.g. memory, learning).​​

​