Youth Music - BongoClub.org.uk

Tiffany Hughes is a Music Therpaist and currently works at Coram in North London, a leading charity providing specialist social services to support children and their families. Here she explains to Bongo Club how music therapy can benefit children enourmously. 

What is music therapy? 
Music lies at the core of who we are, in our heartbeat, our movement and the tone of our voice. Creativity is vital for our emotional well-being. Music Therapy is the specialist use of music by a qualified practitioner to address a wide range of psychological, emotional and behavioural difficulties in a creative, and therefore positive way.

How does music therapy work?
Central to music therapy is the development of the relationship between the child and therapist through interactive music-making. The emphasis is on the relationship, with music being the medium for communication and self-expression, rather than musical achievements.

Music underpins the development of our communication. Listen to the musical qualities of an adult talking to a baby; their voice is higher in pitch than in normal speech, has greater musical contours, more defined rhythm, is slower and more expressive. This "tuning-in" is known as "motherese" and is a vital part of communication and relationship development. 

Music therapy at Coram
Coram is a leading children's charity providing specialist social services to support children and their families. At Coram music therapy is available to children aged between 0 - 11 years who may have difficulties in communication, emotional well-being, behaviour and relationships, including attachment (e.g. for children who are recently adopted and experienced abusive or disrupted early relationships). Children attend sessions individually or together with a parent to maximise the positive outcomes of therapy by supporting parents in understanding their child's needs.

Our research has shown positive outcomes in terms of children's emotional, communication and social development. In as little as 10 weeks children become more confident, better able to concentrate and interact positively with their peers and family members. Although great improvements can occur in a short space of time, longer periods of therapy are often necessary. The children's parents and referrers (e.g. key worker, teacher, family support worker, social worker) also report these positive outcomes at home, nursery or school. By developing greater self-esteem and resilience, children who might otherwise be vulnerable or disadvantaged are able to reach their full potential.

Training in music therapy

• All music therapists have to undertake recognised professional training in music therapy.

• They must also be registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) in order to practise: http://www.hpc-uk.org.

• The British Society for Music Therapy (BSMT) provides information on accredited training courses and runs introductory days for those interested in learning more: http://www.bsmt.org.

• Tiffany Hughes (Music Therapist at Coram) and Margareta Burrell (First Steps project facilitator at Coram and registered Music Therapist) offer workshops for early years practitioners. The workshops help practitioners introduce practical applications of therapeutic music-making into the classroom for children's emotional development. For more information contact tiffany(at)coram.org.uk.

• There are currently around 600 registered music therapists in the UK -  not enough to meet the needs of all those who could benefit from this specialist intervention and unique application of music.