Music Therapy
Nordoff Robbins music therapists are skilled practitioners. They are trained to help people in need to build communication and other core skills.
We work with people of all ages - babies, children, adults, those nearing the end of their lives; everyone can be reached through music. No one course of music therapy is the same, because all the individuals we work with are unique. Our work is all about the relationship between the individual and the music.
The many thousands of people we help across the UK suffer from a range of conditions such as autism, dementia, mental health problems, learning difficulties, social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and in some cases, our clients receive music therapy as part of their palliative care. All of these people have one uniting factor - music dramatically improves their quality of life. Find out more about who we help.
The profession is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council and represented by the British Association for Music Therapy.
What formats can music therapy take?
People engage in music therapy in a way that’s right for them. Sessions can be one-to-one, or in small or large groups. Sometimes family members, friends or carers get involved. The work can involve:
- Playing different instruments
- Singing
- Playing / listening to music you know and enjoy, or music made up on the spot
- Movement
- Writing songs
- Rehearsing and performing
- Creating music-based stories
What to expect
Every course of Nordoff Robbins music therapy is different because every person is different. While allowing freedom for spontaneity, music therapists will set objectives for the therapy when appropriate, often in conjunction with the service user, relative or carer. Sometimes however, it is helpful not to define objectives too rigidly, but to allow the work to develop its own direction. Any objectives set may be adjusted as the work progresses, which may affect the form of music therapy.
