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VIDEO
The above video was created with the aims to
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Create an educational video that informs the audience about MT and how it works for different clients in various settings.
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Understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the therapists’ work and their clients.
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Inspire others to employ MT as a means to physical and mental wellbeing.
If you would like to share this video with your peers, institution, clients etc., please fill out the contact form below!
ABOUT MUSIC THERAPY
Music Therapy is a psychological therapy, which can help to improve physical and mental wellbeing through musical activities. Sessions are created to suit the individual, allowing space for expression, improving movement or non-verbal communication.
Who are the Music therapists?
Music therapists are registered through the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They work closely with many different types of institutions in order to provide the best therapy for clients in need.
"Anyone can participate in music making...people can participate and enjoy music making until the moment they die"
What types of music therapy are there?
Lots! Music therapy is suited to the individual client and their specific needs. Examples include:
Autism, Child development, Dementia, End-of-life care, Mental health, Neurological Development, Those hard of seeing/hearing, Palliative care (care for serious illnesses)
Who can get music therapy?
Everyone! Music is used in everyday life, and can be used therapeutically to improve wellbeing, no matter what your age, ability or musical experience may be. The therapy can be referred to patients, or people can join certain community groups and charities themselves by getting in contact.
EFFECTS OF COVID-19
When the pandemic hit the UK in March 2020, places where Music Therapy usually takes place all had to close or restrict their visitors. Only some Music Therapy organisations were deemed essential from the beginning and could continue face-to-face sessions, albeit with a lot more PPE and cleaning procedures.
"I consider myself a healthcare professional...to be sort of rejected and considered non-essential was frustrating"
"A lot of people lip read as part of how they hear, and this makes it much harder for them to participate in music therapy and connect with me"
"They're singing masks. So they cover your mouth completely, but there's a nice gap there so that you are not choking when you're trying to sing"
challenges to overcome
Music Therapists work with clients of varying abilities, many of whom had to go into, and are still in, isolation for their safety. Some are technologically isolated as well, where platforms such as Zoom are not easily accessible.
Moving Music Therapy sessions online is a challenge, where therapists can no longer observe body language and use the room space to engage clients. In face-to-face sessions, it is difficult for those hard of hearing or verbal communication, when therapists have to wear masks, and therefore can no longer lip-read.
However, Music Therapists continue to provide sufficient care for their clients. Despite the majority of sessions having to move online, a lot of people are considerably benefitting from having a strong relationship with their therapist in a time of isolation.
Before lockdown, a blind and deaf client in a wheelchair could move their head arms. After continued neurological music therapy online, they can now kick their leg too!
Success story!
CONTACT
Abigail Hall is a first-study classical singer. She created this project as part of her final year studying music at the University of Sheffield. She aspires to become a neurologic music therapist one day, and this project was inspired by her peers and people she encountered knowing very little about music therapy.
Email: abigail.jane.07@live.co.uk
We would love to teach as many people as possible about Music Therapy
If you would like to share the video with your peers/institution, or if you have any feedback, please complete the form!
