Type of service: Outreach - education, Interventions and therapies, Outreach

Music therapy is a creative and largely non-verbal approach to personal therapy. The focus is on creating music in a live and spontaneous way, but the client does not need to have musical skills to benefit from this special work. Over time, a trusting relationship can develop through the music between the therapist and client. Music Therapy provides communication, social interaction, flexible thinking and emotional support. Most referred clients find verbal language difficult to express their feelings; this special way of creating music with the therapist provides a positive means of communicating emotions in a non-threatening way and a safe space for exploring and developing appropriate ways of relating to others. This creative, shared approach can help clients move away from a ritualistic use of objects and develop less rigid thought and behaviour patterns. By helping the client to express and share their feelings, the therapist can help them work through difficult emotional issues and move forward onto a more positive personal direction. Clients, parents, carers and other health or care professionals can refer. Referral forms, permission forms, and further information are available from Key Changes. Reports are produced after assessment (4 sessions), for the annual review and when therapy ends. Key Changes Music Therapy can make home visits, visit a client's nursery, school or college, provide independent expert reports and attend tribunals/educational appeal committees.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Adult sibling, Child , Child/adolescent sibling, Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of an adult, Partner

Specialisms: Generic

Other specialisms: Challenging behaviour, Learning disability