Music therapy has been delivered in a variety of formats for the past 3 years at Tall Trees and Atlas House to adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs. At present, two therapists from the Oxleas Music Therapy Service, Richard Murison and Jimmy Lyons, deliver group and individual sessions on the Goldie Leigh site.
In the group music therapy sessions at Tall Trees, the therapist facilitates shared group music making with up to eight adults at a time as well as including supporting staff in the sessions. A wide selection of instruments are available to use in the sessions, and the therapists facilitate group improvisations as well as more structured musical activities which may include playing and singing familiar songs or instrumental turn-taking activities. Each group is different each week, but always has a consistent focus on encouraging musical interaction amongst the service users and staff, developing awareness and interaction with peers, and encouraging free expression through the medium of music.
'It's great, we get to see another side to him, you can see what's possible'.
Tall Trees staff member, regarding a 61 year old non-verbal client who has begun to sing in sessions.
At Atlas House the therapist delivers open group and individual sessions depending on patient choices and needs. We regularly use improvisation and sharing song interests as a means of building rapport, expression, confidence and reducing anxiety. We have also used in house performance as a means of building confidence and mutual peer support.
For more information please contact the Oxleas Music Therapy Service on 0208 294 3139 or email the service manager Sarah Hadley at sarah.hadley@nhs.net
Richard Murison and Jimmy Lyons, Music Therapists.
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