Who is Music Therapy for? Music therapy is for everyone! We passionately believe that everyone can experience and respond to music regardless of difficulties or disability. Current music therapy work in the UK includes a range of client groups: – Children and adults with learning and/or physical disabilities – The elderly and those with dementia – Clients with mental health difficulties – Forensic mental health work – Teenagers with emotional and behavioural difficulties – Clients with eating disorders – Those affected by PTSD – Infants and mothers ….and many other client groups. Music therapy is tailored to the individual client needs – tell us the needs and we will endeavour to tailor music therapy to those needs.
Our Facilities We offer two types of service – you can come to us, or we can come to you! Coming to us – The Garden Room We have a designated space for music therapy which is a warm, cosy and light room in the beautiful grounds of Redwoods House. It is well stocked with a fantastic array of instruments and can accommodate groups of up to four clients. There is sufficient free parking and a disabled access toilet available.
Coming to you – Peripatetic Service We can also come to you! If you are able to provide a suitable space in which music therapy can be facilitated, our music therapist can travel to you with a selection of instruments.
Our Music Therapist Meet Hazel Hazel Barraclough (Hewitt) is the music therapist for Redwoods Music Therapy Service. She is fully qualified and holds a MSc Music Therapy. She maintains registrations with BAMT (British Association of Music Therapy) and HCPC (Health and Care Professionals Council – the regulatory body for registered music therapists). Hazel Graduated from Queen Margaret University and, during her time at university, worked with adults with learning disabilities and in a secure setting for adults with mental health problems.
Cost How much is a Music Therapy Session? Music therapy sessions typically last 30-45 minutes, and can be organised for either individuals or groups. However, each session is tailored to individual needs – for some clients, 30 minutes may be too long, whereas others may require a little longer to fully engage in the session. The cost for each session works out as follows: Individual: £35 Group: £35* * In group sessions, the cost can be divided evenly between each participant. So if there are 2 in the group, the cost would be £17.50 each, for 3 in a group £11.70 each, and so on. How many sessions should I have? It’s entirely up to you – we suggest a minimum assessment period of 6 weeks. This will allow both client and therapist to see whether music therapy is a beneficial intervention for the client. After 6 weeks, if the sessions are continued, the therapy can be reviewed at regular intervals or upon request and at each review a decision to continue or end the therapy can be made collectively.
FAQs 1. Do I have to be able to play an instrument? No musical experience is required at all. Clients with a vast range of abilities and needs benefit from music therapy. During the sessions, clients are offered a range of instruments to play and they can decide which, if any, they wish to use. Voice/singing can also be used, along with other musical activities such as song-writing and musical games. Every session is tailored to client individual needs. 2. Do I have to be musical? In our society, the term ‘musical’ is often applied to those who play instruments. Music therapy is grounded in the belief that each individual is born musical and has the capacity to respond to music in some way (music therapists even work with deaf clients who feel and respond to the vibrations of music). You do not have to be society’s version of ‘musical’ – you are already musical. 3. What instruments are used? At Redwoods we have a huge range of instruments available. We can use conventional instruments such as keyboard, guitar, percussion etc but also have a wide range of world instruments and technology-based instruments such asSoundbeam Technology. 4. What is a typical music therapy session like? As we serve a wide variety of client with many different types of needs it would be impossible to pinpoint a ‘typical’ session – session content is based on the aims being explored for each individual. However, a session will usually involve the therapist and client sharing music in some form with content appropriate for the client’s aims and abilities. 5. Should I have individual sessions or be part of a group? Individual sessions mean one-to-one time with the therapist, which will allow clients to explore their aims in greater depth with the full, undivided attention from the therapist. Furthermore, some clients will simply respond better when on their own in therapy. In groups, the advantages include the opportunity to develop communications skills with others, form relationships with group members and explore socially-based aims. It may also be beneficial for some clients to have others around them to encourage them to engage. The decision of whether to be in a group or take individual sessions is entirely down to the client/carer. However, our music therapist is happy to discuss and advise further should you wish for more information in the decision-making process. 6. How are the groups made up? It is possible for clients to approach music therapy together and request to be a group. Alternatively, if a client wishes to be in a music therapy group an approaches music therapy without others (or wishes specifically to meet new people) then a group could be formed once there are enough participants in a similar situation. More information about current groups can be given at the time of enquiry. 7. Do I need a support worker with me? This would be decided following discussion between therapist and client/carer and is assessed on an individual basis. Where possible it is often preferable for the client to attend music therapy without support during the session but, at the times when it is necessary, it will be fully and warmly accommodated. 8. Do I need a referral to come to music therapy? Referrals for music therapy can come from many different places including the social services, management teams in care establishments or schools. However, self referrals are also more than welcome – if you would like music therapy for yourself or someone in your care, please do get in touch.
HOW TO FIND OUT MORE OR APPLY If you would like to know more about Redwoods Music Therapy, or apply for some sessions, please don’t hesitate tocontact us– we would love to hear from you.
