Participant Feedback on Soundwell Music Therapy
A typical participant feedback report
September 2006
Participants of long term group music therapy for people with severe mental health needs were asked to provide feedback on the music therapy they receive. Written notes were taken by the researcher from the AWP Mental Health Research & Development Unit (MHRDU) at Bath University, and participants verified it as an accurate reflection of the thoughts and feelings shared. The Music Therapists were not present at these meetings.
Impact of Group Music Therapy
Music provides the opportunity for emotional release through physical movement – anger, sadness, joy. Emotions are transformed into both sounds and melody.
Music enables a release of tension.
Music therapy enables a fusion of the mind and body.
Individuals can express feelings to each other without using words.
Group music therapy is a bonding experience. It enables symbiosis (a reciprocal/co-operative relationship between individuals).
Group sessions can have an immediate impact upon mood. Participants described feeling lifted through the music therapy, which impacted positively on their ability to cope. One participant described music therapy as integral to their recovery; another had bought musical instruments as a way of self-managing emotions outside of the therapeutic sessions.
Ongoing group work sessions enabled participants to hear a musical progression spanning chaos, then rhythm and finally melody, demonstrating a developing group dynamic.
Within each session, an initial phase of individual expression was necessary prior to group connection.
Music therapy enabled the breaking down of inhibitions and feelings of self-consciousness. Music removes the inhibition to communicate as one has already been communicating through music.
A perceived lack of musical talent was regarded positively, music therapy providing the freedom to try without the expectation to succeed.
Participants are encouraged to use a diversity of instruments within each session.
The staff guide (rather than expect) participants to think about how they have been thinking and feeling as they played the various instruments.
Staff know where participants ‘are at’ by how they are playing. They are perceptive about an individual’s mood and the sensitivities of group dynamics.
Music therapy can be like looking into a mirror and you can’t hide from this personal challenge.
Needs
One hour sessions were not felt to be long enough.
Participants would value two sessions per week.
One participant suggested a greater diversity of instruments e.g. string, brass.
Please note that Soundwell Music Therapy Trust holds to a policy of strict confidentiality for our clients, and any personal details in these web pages are altered to respect the needs of confidentiality