History
Music therapy can be traced back to scholar Robert Burton and his work, The Anatomy of Melancholy. In it he described the benefits of music and dancing for treating psychiatric conditions. During the 1950s, practitioners such as Paul Nordoff and Juliette Alvin further developed the approach to address physical and emotional problems. It has since become a State Registered profession in the UK and in 1982 was recognised as a Profession Allied to Medicine
Approach
Music psychotherapy belongs to the Expressive school. Its practitioners believe that people can heal emotional problems by expressing themselves through creative arts such as dance, drama and art. Therapists may encourage
the client to use instruments as well as their own voice to communicate their feelings; improvisation is an important feature of the approach.
How can it help?
Music therapy is used to treat both children and adults. It is effective at treating learning disabilities, physical problems and emotional issues. The approach is also useful for individuals who have difficulty in expressing repressed feelings. Music therapists will also work to help their clients improve social skills and develop self-awareness.
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