What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is a psychological therapy which uses the unique qualities of sound and music within an evolving relationship between client and therapist to support and encourage physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
What is a Music Therapist?
Music Therapists are trained at postgraduate Masters level, receive regular clinical supervision, continuous professional development and are registered with the Health & Care Professions Council to ensure rigorous high standards of practice.
What does a Music Therapist do?
After an initial assessment, I start by simply 'being' with a person and getting to know them, whilst exploring various avenues of music and means in which they can communicate - it really doesn’t matter if they can’t play or don't sing. Establish a safe therapeutic relationship in which a person can openly express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns without fear of judgment, with the therapeutic aims of rekindling their self-esteem and strengthening their confidence and motivation.
Benefits of Music Therapy include
- Provide a safe outlet to explore and communicate feelings nonverbally
- Effect positive changes in mood and emotional states
- Maintenance of unimpaired cognitive functions
- Memory recall contributing to reminiscence and satisfaction
- Strengthening coping skills to build self-confidence and self-awareness.
Dorset Wellbeing Choir
The History
In December 2019, the Dorset Music Therapy Service was contacted by the NHS Foundation Trust Acquired Brain Injury Service to discuss forming a choir for stroke survivors struggling with aphasia. In February 2021, the DMTS successfully secured NHS charitable funds, and the Aphasia Choir was formed.
The Project
- Aimed to create a choir specifically designed to benefit stroke survivors struggling with aphasia and those living with dementia.
- Aimed to create an environment which encourages confidence for those with communication difficulties, together with their carers, family and friends, in a fun, social atmosphere
The Evidence
In July 2022, Dorset Health Care ‘Dragon’s Den’ team filmed a session of the Aphasia Choir at a community centre in Bournemouth.
In March 2023, ITV Meridian featured the Aphasia Choir on their local news programme.
The Benefits
- Singing, particularly in a group, can help improve people’s mood and emotional well being. When we sing, we release endorphins, serotonin and dopamine – the ‘happy’ chemicals that make us feel good and boost our self-esteem.
- Improve physical coordination, movement, and motor functions.
- Increased confidence with communication difficulties
- Opportunity to socialise with others living with aphasia and dementia
Where and When?
- Free Taster Session - you're invited to come along and 'Sing Hello'
- Dorchester - The Quiet Space, Poundbury, DT1 3RQ on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 10.00 – 11.00 (£6 per person per session
- Bournemouth - The Howe Croft Community Centre 1 Turnbull Lane, BH11 9BG every Thursday from 13.00 - 14.00 (£5 per person per session)
About the Dorset Music Therapy Service
The Dorset Music Therapy Service is a private practice founded in 2012 by Paul Martin. Paul’s journey into music therapy practice began about 40 years ago, whilst he was working as a pianist on a cruise ship. On one memorable occasion, he received a request to play a special piece of music for somebody, and as he played, they became visibly emotional and wept. Exactly what was happening, he’ll never know - perhaps the individual felt a need to externalise (and share) uncomfortable emotions they had been suppressing.
Later in life, Paul decided to study music part-time at the University of Bristol, and after graduation, enrolled upon a three-year training course in Music Therapy at the University of The West of England.
Paul Martin BA (hons) Mus., MA BAMT
1 Woodbury Court
33 West Street
Bere Regis
BH20 7HJ
dorsetmusictherapy@outlook.com
07788 1850 48
01929 289 323
HCPC registration AS14335
