MUSIC THERAPY

MUSIC THERAPYAll human beings are inherently musical. Everyone naturally responds to music. Music can express feelings which cannot be put into words.

Music is a powerful medium for expression and touches everyone deeply. Making music can be a moving experience, enhancing a sense of identity, connection and belonging. Taking part in music therapy helps support positive change and enables people to reach their full potential. It builds confidence and encourages physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing.

Sessions are client-centred, allowing each person to explore the world of sound in his/her own way. By responding musically the therapist encourages this process and supports the expression of the client’s individuality through his/her music. The music played is largely improvised and covers a range of styles according to the client’s individual preferences and needs. Sessions may include the use of pre-composed music, singing songs, song writing or musical games.

During sessions both client and therapist take an active part by playing, singing and listening. A trusting relationship develops between client and therapist, which enables emotional and developmental themes to emerge and to be explored. Clients are encouraged to use a range of instruments including tuned/un-tuned percussion, string and woodwind instruments, drum kit, piano and the voice. Sessions sometimes include music/recording technology and instruments such as electric guitar and bass.

OUR APPROACHOur therapists are dedicated to providing a high quality service which is accessible to all. Sessions aim to support the work of parents, carers, teachers and health and social care professionals. The development of a relationship between client and therapist is central to our work. Our therapists are experienced in reaching those who are isolated or withdrawn and are finding interpersonal contact and communication difficult, and are skilled in enabling anyone to make music by supporting unique forms of expression and unlocking creativity.

OUR TEAMOur team consists of skilled musicians who are professionally trained and qualified music therapists (Postgraduate Diploma/MA). All music therapists working for Richmond Music Trust are checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and hold enhanced disclosure certificates. Our therapists are state registered under the Health Professions Council and work to the code of conduct set out by the British Association for Music Therapy. All of our therapists engage in regular clinical supervision and update their skills through continuing professional development and training.

OUR SERVICES In-HouseWe offer both individual and group sessions at our fully equipped studio in Twickenham. Sessions are usually held on a weekly basis for 30-60 minutes at a time. A waiting area for parents and carers is available. Our premises has parking facilities and good access for wheelchair users and is easily accessible by public transport.

OutreachOur outreach service covers mainstream and special schools, private family homes and supported homes/day centres for adults. Outreach work can be set up as a pilot project or on an ongoing basis.

Home VisitsA home visit can be a helpful starting point for adults with Learning Disabilities as it enables the therapist to get to know the client in his/her home environment. We can arrange home visits to clients on an occasional or ongoing basis.

Workshops and PresentationsWe provide information and advice to organisations keen to include music therapy as part of their provision. Focused within the fields of Education and Health and Social Care, our sessions are tailored to meet the specific training needs of parents and carers and usually involve a mixture of experiential work, music therapy theory and case studies.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE 0 -18YEARS Our therapists are experienced in engaging children and young people with a wide range of needs including Autistic Spectrum Conditions, learning disabilities, developmental conditions, emotional and behavioural difficulties, mental health problems, attachment issues, sensory issues, ADHD and Dyspraxia.

Autistic Spectrum ConditionsWorking with children on the Autistic Spectrum is an important area of our provision. music therapy is now widely recognised as an effective form of therapy for children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and is frequently requested by parents. In our practice we regularly witness the significant benefits of music therapy to children with ASC and learning disabilities.

“The music therapy sessions are amazing; I have never seen the children so engaged.” Teaching assistant from school for children with severe learning disabilities and Autism

Children with Emotional & Behavioural difficultiesThrough music therapy we offer difficult-to-reach children the opportunity to engage in a therapeutic relationship, enabling the development of new and positive ways of being and engaging with others.

“It makes me feel good inside” 9 year old boy with emotional /behavioural issues

We also provide therapeutic support to children attending mainstream schools who have additional emotional and behavioural needs. Music therapy provides a stepping stone to re-engaging with classroom learning and encourages constructive participation in education and society.

SCHOOLS Music Therapy in SchoolsIn addition to our work with special schools and special units we provide access to music therapy for children with additional needs who attend mainstream schools. We believe strongly in early intervention and targeting children with additional needs before problems escalate. Actively involving parents, teachers and carers in our therapeutic work leads to a greater understanding of the child’s difficulties and also to the development of better strategies in education and parenting.

Schools are invited to choose from the following options:

Service Level AgreementSchools can contract service packages on an annual basis, offering music therapy to selected children on their premises. In this situation music therapy is usually embedded into the overall educational environment and includes strong liaison with teaching staff and other relevant professionals. The therapist takes a proactive role in supporting the integration of music therapy into the school environment. This sometimes includes training sessions or music therapy workshops for staff and parents.

Direct ReferralThis option is for schools with pupils they feel would benefit from therapeutic support but are not in the position to contract our music therapy services through the Service Level Agreement option. Referrals for group or one to one sessions can be made by teachers, SENCO or parents.

LEARNING DISABILITIES We provide full access to music therapy for all adults with any form of learning disability and work in close conjunction with residential homes and the local network of services for adults with learning disabilities. By encouraging meaningful communication and a positive sense of self, music therapy is widely recognised as an effective form of support for people with learning disabilities.

Music therapy provides those who may have difficulty expressing themselves, communicating and forming relationships with a means to engage in close interpersonal contact. The innate joy in musical interaction enables the therapist to strengthen the part of the client that is able and functioning, encouraging the development of existing/dormant abilities and strengths. Music therapy is an empowering experience for clients as it promotes supportive relationships where clients are accepted for who they are. This emotional support can help a client live with his/her disability and its associated challenges

“Music helps me to relax and chill. Music is a big part of life, it calms you down.”Client with mild learning disabilities

“That was amazing. I can’t believe how much she was responding.” Manager of a care home for residents with multiple profound learning disabilities

We offer a range of opportunities for adults with learning disabilities:

• Individual sessions • Small Group Sessions (3-6 clients) tailored to cater for a wide range of abilities.• MUSIC SPACE (3-6 clients) For people with mild to moderate learning disabilities, incorporating educational elements such as developing instrumental skills. • One-off workshops and fixed term projects focussing on specific themes.• Individual and group outreach sessions based at residential homes.

MENTAL HEALTH 18yrs+ Music therapy can be a supportive form of therapy for adults who are going through an emotional crisis or experiencing mental health problems such as anxiety, depression or psychosis. It can be useful for people who are experiencing distress and isolation arising from illness, disability, addiction or life-circumstances and can help support the development of positive relationships.

Sessions are either one-to-one or in groups. No previous musical experience is needed and the focus is to help the client express him/herself creatively through sounds, silences, songs, rhythms and words. The music played covers a wide range of styles depending on the needs, taste and musical experience of the client.

Music therapy for older adults with DementiaMusic therapy is particularly valuable in supporting people with dementia. Research shows that the part of the brain that responds to music is the longest lasting. A person may be able to play, sing, appreciate and respond to music even after most other faculties have gone. Music and the singing of songs is often an enjoyable experience, which aids memory recall and helps people to reconnect with parts of their life history and identity. Music therapy sessions include songs and musical activities tailored to the needs and background of the client.

“First you can’t think but then you suddenly,..… it comes out.”Comment from participant

Music therapy for people with dementia can be individual or group based. Sessions take place both at our premises and on an outreach basis. Adults are welcome to refer themselves but referrals can also be made by parents, carers or any other professional working with the client.

ACCESSING MUSIC THERAPY Please complete and return the correct referral form to us and we will contact you to arrange an initial music therapy assessment.

There are four different referral forms:

• Refer a child 0-18yrs • Refer a child at your school • Refer an adult 18yrs+ • Refer yourself 18yrs+

Forms are available to download from our website: www.richmondmusictrust.org.uk/Music_Therapy/musictherapy.aspx

Referrals can be made by parents, carers, teachers, SENCO or any professional working with the client within an educational, health or social care setting. Adults are welcome to refer themselves.

If you would like an informal discussion with a music therapist prior to submitting your referral form please contact Andreas Rosenboom on 020 8744 8097.

Assistance with feesWe give sympathetic consideration to families where financial hardship may prevent a child from accessing our music therapy service. Those in receipt of the benefits listed below may be entitled to receive a 40%-70% reduction in fees:

• Income Support • Job Seekers Allowance • Council Tax Rebate • Housing Benefit • Free school meals

If none of the above applies to you we will endeavour to explore other funding sources, including external charities and public sector funding, which may help cover your fees. In exceptional cases we offer discretionary remission for a fixed period on an individually negotiated basis. Please contact Andreas Rosenboom, Head of Music Therapy on 020 8744 8097 for further details.

Full details on our range of music therapy services can be found at www.richmondmusictrust.org.uk

OUR STUDIO We offer both individual and group sessions at our fully equipped studio in Twickenham. A waiting area for parents and carers is available.

Music Therapy DepartmentRichmond Music Trust, 7 Briar Road, Twickenham, Middlesex TW2 6RBMusic Therapy Phone: 020 8744 8097 RMT Phone: 020 8538 3866RMT Fax: 020 8538 3867

Full details on our range of music therapy services can be found at www.richmondmusictrust.org.uk

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ACCESSIBILITYWe have parking facilities and good access for wheelchair users. Our premises is also accessible by public transport.

BY CARBriar Road is just off the Staines Road near Twickenham Green. There is free parking on Briar Road and we have further parking to the rear of the building. Please park in spaces marked ‘7’.BY BUSRoutes H22, 110, 490, 267, 281, 290 and R70 all stop nearby.BY TRAINNearby stations include Strawberry Hill, Fulwell and Twickenham mainline.BY TUBENearest tubes include Richmond (district line) and Hounslow East (Piccadilly line). You will need to transfer to train or bus to complete your journey to Briar Road.

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