Music Therapy

Music therapy is a psychological therapy that uses music to support emotional expression, communication and self-understanding. It can offer a way to explore feelings and experiences that may, at times, be difficult to put into words.

Music has the capacity to move us in ways we may not always understand. A particular piece of music might evoke a memory, bring a feeling to the surface, or help us connect with something that has been difficult to express. Sometimes, music can give form to feelings that we have struggled to make sense of.

In music therapy, we can explore these experiences through listening to music, playing instruments, improvising or talking about the music we share. There is no expectation that you will be able to play an instrument, read music or have any previous musical experience. What matters is the experience of making and responding to music together, and what this might help us understand.

Music therapy is not about learning an instrument or developing musical skills. Rather, music becomes a way to communicate and explore our inner experiences, alongside the relationship that develops between therapist and patient. We might become curious about the feelings that emerge, how we communicate with one another, or the meanings music holds for us.

I am an HCPC-registered Music Therapist with an MA in Music Therapy. My clinical experience includes working with children and young people, and I have seen how music can offer different possibilities for expression and connection.

For more information about music therapy, including how it works and who it can help, visit the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT).

British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT): What is Music Therapy? 

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