Private Music Therapy Sessions
Referral
We accept referrals for music therapy from adults and children. Referrals may be made by the person themselves, by a family member or by a professional.
When someone is referred to the Music Therapy Service we will take basic information over the telephone and discuss reasons for referral. A music therapist will meet with the parent or carer, as appropriate, to discuss the needs of the individual(s) in more detail. In the case of an individual referring themselves, an initial consultation will be arranged.
Assessment
The purpose of the assessment is for the parent/carer or client and the music therapist to see whether music therapy may be useful, and what the goals of music therapy might be.
Normally our assessment process includes a preliminary meeting, two music therapy sessions and a report.
Where someone refers themselves for music therapy, they can agree an appropriate assessment/trial period, and how they would like to review it, with the music therapist.
The preliminary meeting is an opportunity for the therapist to find out more about the person being referred. This is likely to include their strengths and the areas where they may need help, how they communicate, and any approaches that have been found to be useful. Reasons for referral may also be discussed in more detail.
In the two music therapy sessions the person will have the opportunity to explore the instruments and room, and to engage with the therapist through music. The therapist may try different musical approaches.
The report will summarise the discussion and reasons for referral. It will include observations about how the person engaged with the music therapy sessions, particularly in relation to the reasons for referral. It will make recommendations for future music therapy treatment if appropriate.
If it is felt that music therapy can be beneficial, the music therapist will recommend aims and objectives for the individual(s). These will be based upon the original reasons for referral and upon the therapists observations made during the assessment period.
Treatment
Music Therapy sessions are normally weekly. They are held in the same place and at the same time so that they are predictable, and so that the person receiving music therapy can focus on how they use the sessions rather than on worrying about the arrangements.
The length of treatment varies from person to person, depending on how long it takes to address the reasons for referral. We normally maintain an ongoing dialogue and review with the client and /or the person who referred them, to discuss progress and developments and to decide when music therapy has achieved what we set out to achieve.
A Team Approach - Information the Therapist Needs
As professionals working in the field of health, music therapists believe it is important to function as part of the team. There is no benefit to the client if everyone is doing their own thing and effectively pulling him or her in different directions.
In community-based work, this may be difficult, as the team may be a variety of workers and professionals coming in from different sources. The following are guidelines to overcome this as far as possible.
When a client is referred for music therapy, the music therapist will ask you about:
- the client's personal and family history;
- the other services and treatments being received by the client, and who to contact for further information;
- what programmes are already in place and progress that has been made with these;
- what medication the client is taking so that any side-effects can be taken into consideration.
These enable the therapist to make informed decisions about how to proceed with the treatment in therapy.
Once a client is receiving music therapy, the therapist should be:
- involved in reviews of client's progress;
- consulted/informed when decisions are being made to involve new professionals, treatments or programmes. The therapist may be able to make recommendations and/or provide relevant information from the work being done in music therapy;
- kept up to date with developments or changes in the client's other treatments or programmes;
- kept up to date with general observations of the client's progress. Again, this information helps the music therapist to monitor the progress of the client in music therapy, to make informed decisions about how to proceed, and to maintain productive dialogue with others involved in the care and treatment of the client.
What Facilities and Conditions are Needed?
Certain conditions are laid down in the contract relating to the arrangements needed for music therapy to take place. These have been designed to enable the music therapist to work most effectively and therefore to ensure that you receive the best quality service.
In music therapy, the emphasis is placed on the development of a trusting relationship between the client and therapist. If the client feels that music therapy is a safe, predictable place to be, he or she is more likely to be able to use the time to experiment with and explore things that he or she finds difficult. Therefore:
- the session will be held in the same place, at the same time and for the same length of time every week. This gives the client the safety of a familiar routine so that they know what to expect and can concentrate on the variations within the session;
- the client will be given two or three weeks notice of any changes to this routine so that this does not take him or her by surprise. Obviously some circumstances are unavoidable, such as illness. However, family or carers can give a great deal of support by ensuring that the music therapist has plenty of warning of holidays, for example, and also by making sure that outings, dental appointments etc. are not arranged to clash with the therapy session. This ensures maximum continuity;
- it is important that the music therapy session is not interrupted or disturbed while it is in progress. The music therapist will be working to create an atmosphere in which both the client and therapist can feel secure in working towards areas that may be difficult or sensitive for the client.
Explore our Music Therapy Services
For enquiries and referrals, contact Parity on 01252 375581 or info@parityfordisability.org.uk.