West of England Music Therapy and Wellbeing
Our Music Therapy and Wellbeing Team at North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Music hubs are now offering their service to B&NES. - Music therapy 1-1 (team of 7 HCPC trained Music Therapists) - Music and wellbeing - whole class and small group (delivered by music therapists)
Music Therapy:
We offer 1-1 weekly sessions, long term work, referrals through our team, parent/carers can refer directly or through school. Our trained, experienced therapists create a safe and welcoming atmosphere in which to play music together as part of a therapeutic process. We provide a range of therapeutic percussion instruments, accessible to all (with no previous musical skills needed) and we improvise music.
All humans have the capacity to respond to music in some way and we use this response as a way to connect - to explore emotions and give our clients an alternative way to share their feelings without having to use words.
We work with children who may not be speaking, who have experienced trauma or who have current emotional difficulties for a variety of reasons. We also work with neuro-diverse children. Children we work with often, but not always, have an EHCP which can help fund sessions; do ask your child's school or we can help with this.
Playing music together can offer emotional support through a difficult time; give a sense of restoration and hope, as well as helping a client feel valued. And, as this is music therapy then the 'playing of music' is part of a therapeutic process, where, over time, a trusting relationship is built through the musical improvisation. Clients are valued and their difficult emotions are 'held' in the music by the therapists whilst we listen and work through what clients are struggling with
Sessions are booked in 1 hour slots, half the time is with the client and half the time is for reflection and clinical note-taking - all part of the therapeutic process
We do, of course, recognise that music can be great fun and that it is purely enjoyable creating music together - there is a place for all emotion even through difficulty. This unlocking of creativity is often vital for our clients.
Music & wellbeing groups:
- For schools or family centres; usually 5 children per group
- music and wellbeing activities, with a therapeutic resonance: 30-45 mins.
- focusing on emotional regulation, valuing self, emotional resilience
Here I Am classroom project:
- What wellbeing can look like in the classroom using music to support series of 5 minute music activities with musical tracks and handout provided
- Staff CPD included
- Project delivered over half a day working with 3 classes differentiated projects for early years, KS1 or KS2