Hi everyone, this is Michaela de Cruz, founder of MdC Music Therapy. I could tell you a bunch of things about how music therapy is an evidence- and research-based psychological treatment, or I could spout the official definition of music therapy as stated by the British Association for Music Therapy. But you can find all that information on the internet and it wouldn't tell you how we work here in this unique practice. Since Covid-19, we have been working exclusively online which has meant that we are able to offer a musical and therapeutic space to very diverse clients in very diverse locations. There are of course pros and cons to working online vs. working in-person, but at MdC Music Therapy, we are proud to have honed our online practice into a thoughtful range of offerings. Below are a few FAQs which may answer some of your questions. If we've missed anything, please get in touch.
From the best in me, to the best in you,
Michaela
There is NO RIGHT OR WRONG in music therapy. Every expression is respected as a valid form of communication. The only rule is that clients and therapists alike use the instruments and music in a way that does not cause any visceral harm to themselves or others and prioritises the safety of everyone and the security of the space. This is how trust can be built in a musical and therapeutic relationship.
What is the first thing I need to know about music therapy?
Do I need to know how to play the instruments to be in music therapy?
YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO BE IN MUSIC THERAPY. Music Therapy is about exploring different ways of being with yourself and others through music and sound. The therapist, who is musically trained, is there to support you in thinking about different ways of communicating and relating through music and/or words, whether you have or do not have prior musical knowledge. The different elements of music can provide us all with alternative ways of accessing different feelings or opening up new neural pathways, and it does not matter if these are created from something as simple as tapping your feet, or playing funk guitar. The wonder of music therapy is in exploring these musical expressions with someone you can trust to value these expressions and to help interpret them if needed.
How does music therapy work?
There are many different music therapy approaches, which include, but are not limited to the following: Music may be IMPROVISED, i.e. “made up” on the spot, and the communication and the dialogue in the music are created by the way in which the therapist and client respond to each other in the music. These responses may be discussed verbally after the musical play to support your deepening insight and to illuminate your communication and social patterns. In online music therapy, improvising music together sometimes proves tricky depending on internet connection, however there are ways to sing or play together that can still offer a felt sense of musical communication. The therapist may invite you to bring music or songs of your own which relate to certain events or points in your life. Listening to these together (RECEPTIVE MUSIC THERAPY) and exploring the feelings or memories which are evoked, for eg., can begin a journey of deeper understanding of pivotal moments in your life. This may include SONG or LYRIC ANALYSIS to enhance the experience of examining how the music connects with our inner beings. The therapist may use music, improvised or recorded, to offer you the chance to REACT to it SOMATICALLY (within the body) or shift yourself into a different bodily or conscious state. Music can be very regulating and can help some clients ground into their bodies so as to be more receptive to changes and movements in the therapeutic process. Of course, different bodies react differently to any given piece of music, and as safety within the body is paramount, there will always be a check-in before and after any music is used in this way. SONGWRITING is a very powerful means of expression in music therapy. You may choose to write your own lyrics or poems and have the therapist support you by providing music, or you may write something by yourself and choose to share it with your therapist. Some songwriting is much more on-the-spot and collaborative. At MdC Music Therapy we also offer the opportunity to record simple versions of therapeutic songwriting if it may support you with specific tasks or more general day-to-day activities.
How do online music therapy sessions work?
Whilst engaging in music therapy over a video conferencing app may not be the most ideal, many music therapists had to adapt when faced with how to continue supporting their clients when COVID-19 struck and playing music together in the same room was no longer medically safe. At MdC Music Therapy, we became really passionate about offering music therapy online as we saw the benefits to accessibility in continuing to do so, even after social distancing became a thing of the past. We introduced a “music therapy experiment” on social media to reach out to people, and we have used novel ways of keeping music at the heart of our work with clients by thinking outside the box about how instruments can be used during online sessions, what technology we can employ to produce music and soundscapes inspired by sessions with clients, songwriting, and using music as a response to our clients’ stories and feeling states. We welcome your feedback about online music therapy and how you feel it has met (or not) your expectations. Feel free to get in touch with us at any time.
What do I need for online music therapy?
A private, comfortable space where you will not be disturbed. Stable internet access and a device with a camera which can log you into a Zoom or Skype account. Musical instruments or anything to make music on (only if you have any, it is not necessary). PLEASE NOTE: The therapist reserves the right to expect that you will come in an appropriate form of dress even if you are calling in to the session from the comfort of your bedroom. Whatever you wish to reveal to the therapist in your space is up to you, however you may want to change your background or blur it if that feels safer for you.
What are the differences between music lessons and music therapy?
The aims of music therapy are to support you with a range of needs, including understanding our emotional and communication patterns. Although gaining some musical skill could sometimes be a by-product of music therapy, it is never the main aim. If you would like to learn how to play or sing a song, for instance, the therapist may support you in learning it if it is in line with the other aims of the therapy – which you yourself will decide in collaboration with the therapist. However, THE THERAPIST WILL NOT TEACH YOU THE FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSIC DURING SESSIONS but instead, will use music in a more natural and expressive way to hopefully open the lines of communication and/or create a space for you to feel confident in learning something new. It must be made very clear that the music therapist is not your music teacher. The therapist-client relationship is different from that of a teacher-student and requires a particular kind of sensitivity, confidentiality, and training. If you do want to learn music at any point, the therapist can support you in achieving that goal through nurturing your confidence and motivation and possibly helping to signpost you to someone who could help.
How many sessions must I have?
There is no set number of sessions, however the basis of good therapy is often about building a trusting relationship between client and therapist. As such, we recommended a minimum of 12 sessions. The number of sessions will always be decided together with you or your carer(s), including a period of between 1 and 3 assessment sessions, if deemed necessary. There may be a need for both the therapist and client to assess their comfort, compatibility and the appropriateness of the approach. In some settings, only a certain amount of sessions will be available but this will always be discussed transparently before any therapy begins.
Can anyone have music therapy?
The short answer is YES: anyone who is interested in experiencing music therapy is welcome. Music means something different to us all and music therapy can sometimes illuminate this in both joyful and poignant ways. Having said this, at MdC Music Therapy, we are aware of different cultural attitudes and beliefs about music and we endeavour to take this into account whilst doing our best not to make assumptions about anyone's relationship to music. We hope to make music therapy a safe enough space for everyone to explore the power of music in a trusting relationship with their therapist.