Southern Music Therapy is a private practice servicing the Canterbury region and beyond.
Our vision is to provide a professional music therapy service to those in need. We aim to be dynamic, creative and developing team. Where our therapists are valued and supported in their work, to therefore provide a high-quality client centered approach that is a sustainable service to our clients.
We aim to assist our clients in attaining, maintaining or regaining optimum levels of functioning or adaptation in all areas of development and well-being.
We are dedicated to providing a quality music therapy service by professional registered Music Therapists.
REACHING
We believe that music has a unique way of reaching and connecting with people, it is a powerful and effective tool for achieving health and wellness.
CONTRIBUTION
We believe that everyone has a valuable contribution to offer through their unique personality and abilities.
MEANINGFUL
We believe that every effort should be made to establish significant and meaningful human connections with people rather than allow them to merely exist.
UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE
We believe that music is a universal language, and find that clients participate more actively in music therapy sessions. People often have a lifetime of musical experiences that can be activated.
Music therapy is the planned use of music to assist the healing and personal growth of people with identified emotional, intellectual, physical or social needs. Music therapy uses the expressive elements of music as the primary means of interaction between therapist and client.
Whatever your ability everyone can appreciate and respond to music and sound. Music therapists work with individuals and groups and the methods vary according to the setting, clients needs and the theoretical approach of the music therapist.
Who is Music Therapy for?
Music Therapists work with children and adults of all age ranges and needs, including those with learning disabilities, physical, emotional and psychological disorders and sensory impairments.
Music Therapists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, special schools, day centre’s, within communities, rehabilitation units and in private practice.
Music Therapy and Neurological Disorder
Music is processed in many parts of the brain, which makes it an excellent tool for people living with a neurological disorder such as an acquired brain injury, Stroke, Huntington's, Parkinson's. Individual and group programmes are devised for assessment, neuro-rehabilitation, and to enhance quality of life.
Typical reasons for referral
A person with a neuro-disability may require music therapy for maintenance and improvement of skills including:
Physical skills
Cognition and thinking skills
Emotional expression
Communication skills
Relating to others
Reducing stress, tension and anxiety
Music Therapy for someone living with a neurological disorder is effective in:
Facilitating self-expression and enhancing identity.
Improving engagement and motivation to participate
Building confidence and improving mood.
Improving communication e.g. by making speech easier to understand through enhancing breath control, volume and articulation with singing.
Extending movement and physical co-ordination
