Mental health has more awareness around it now than it ever has before. It is so important that we all look after our mental health, and we all have our own ways of doing that work for us. Music is probably one of the most universal forms of therapy. It is a form of art that we all use to get through our daily lives and the challenges and struggles we face.
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is a concept that many people know nothing about, and yet it is well-known in the world of medicine as one of the most effective ways of helping all kinds of people, like people with dementia, people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and those with other intellectual and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Music Therapy is defined by the Irish Association for Certified Arts Therapists, or the IACAT as
‘An evidence-based profession where the planned and creative use of music-based interventions by an IACAT-accredited music therapist supports people to improve, restore or maintain health, functioning and well-being’.
We all use music in our daily lives to help us get through life’s toughest trials and challenges. Have a listen to the vox pop I have included here, and you’ll see how much we all resonate with music, no matter what we are all going through.
What does Music Therapy Involve?
Music Therapy focuses heavily on giving the client musical freedom. They can express themselves and their emotions in any way they wish through the music. The therapist and client engage in the creation of music together too, and the relationship the client builds with the therapist is just as important as the actual musical activity. Improvisation is an essential part of music therapy, without it, it would not be nearly as effective and successful as it is. The therapist will react in each session differently, based on the actions and musical abilities of the client. The possibilities are endless really. They can sing, play musical instruments, discuss lyrics or simply listen to music and relax. The space is yours to fill, and this musical freedom is what enables the client to truly express what’s going on inside and feel comfortable enough with the therapist to do that. The sessions are usually around 30-60 minutes, depending on each client and how much they would like or can do.
There is always an initial assessment with music therapy, and this is where the therapist gets to know the client and how they behave. They can then form a plan for the therapy itself based on this initial assessment. However, as I’ve said, improvisation and this lack of a rigid structure is really at the heart of how Music Therapy works, and therapists will always bear this in mind when formulating plans and goals for their clients.
How is Music Therapy perceived in Ireland?
Even though Music Therapy is more well-respected now in Ireland than it ever was before, it is still not enough. They do not receive enough funding, and it is not accessible to everybody. There is also only one course in the whole country which will give you the qualification required to practice Music Therapy in Ireland: a Masters degree from the University of Limerick. It is so important that we continue working to increase awareness of Music Therapy here in Ireland, and continue to push for better funding and recognition for it as a clinical practice.
Interview with Certified Music Therapist Jessica Harris:
I met with Jessica Harris, and she provides such a huge level of insight into Music Therapy in our discussion, and how important it is for all kinds of people with different physical, emotional and intellectual conditions. She obtained a Masters qualification in Music Therapy from the University of Limerick herself and has been practicing as a Music Therapist here for over 10 years. She is the founder of the Music Therapy department at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. She provides one-to-one and group sessions, and even corporate workshops to companies who want to improve the wellbeing of their staff. She explains how she fell into the world of Music Therapy, and how tragic circumstances in her personal life led to her interest and passion to help others through music. Have a listen to our conversation and see how a professional in the world of Music Therapy feels about its success with her clients.
If you would like to learn more about Music Therapy, or avail of Music Therapy services, you can visit www.iacat.ie to get more information on how Music Therapy can help you, and you can even find a therapist near you to book your sessions with. If you would like to book sessions with Jessica herself, you can go to her website Mindmusic.ie and fill out the online application form.
Contact Jessica Harris:
Website: Mindmusic.ie
Email: jessica@mindmusic.ie
LinkedIn: Jessica Harris
Facebook: Jessica Harris Music Therapist, director of MindMusic.ie
