North Kildare Music Therapy
What IS Music Therapy?
Music therapy is an clinical intervention, delivered by a qualified music therapist to help people affected by injury, illness or disability by supporting their psychological, emotional, cognitive, physical, communicative and social needs.
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In music therapy, music therapists draw upon the innate qualities of music to support people of all ages and abilities and at all stages of life; from helping new born babies develop healthy bonds with their parents, to offering vital, sensitive and compassionate palliative care at the end of life (www.bamt.org).
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Music therapists frequently work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in various settings including health, education or residential facilities. The populations music therapists work with include but are not limited to:
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~Children with developmental delay (Early intervention)
~Autistic Spectrum Disorders
~People with learning disabilities
~Mental Health settings
~Older adults (mainly in residential care)
~Acquired Brain Injury/Rehab settings
~Respiratory Health care
~People with behavioural issues
~People with Communication Disorders
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A Music Therapy Session
In a Music Therapy session client and therapist create music together. Sessions are usually client-led, interactive and dynamic, however sometimes receptive methods are used. Music therapists incorporate a range of music making methods within and through a therapeutic relationship. These can include instrumental and vocal improvisation, structured music making, singing, music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and relaxation. A client’s musical engagement and development are seen as a reflection of a client’s progress. Based on the age and needs of the client, a session usually lasts between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the attention span and focus of the client. The frequency of the sessions is determined during the initial assessment, which generally runs longer than a typical music therapy session (www.iacat.ie).
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Music Therapy Assessment
The assessment aims to determine the client's current level of functioning, strengths, needs and personal preferences. This is ascertained through a referral form, consultation with the client's primary carer, and observation in a Music Therapy assessment session.​
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Once the assessment is completed, the music therapist can then identify the client's needs and potentials and design a music therapy intervention plan, working towards specific goals and objectives.
Parent-Toddler Groups
Parent-Toddler music therapy groups give opportunity to participate in a supportive environment. Research provides evidence of strengthened bond between parent and child after taking part in similar programmes.
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Parents learn new ways of interacting with their child, and children learn new skills such as communication, social skills, and fine motor skills, along with reinforcing educational concepts.
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Sessions consist of educational songs and nursery rhymes, structured instrument play, and improvisation. Parents are encouraged to give hands-on assistance to their child & actively take part in the session.
Music therapy and Autism / Developmental Delay
Both Individual and Group Music therapy sessions can be beneficial for people on the Autistic Spectrum or with developmental delay, depending on the particular needs of the client. Benefits of attending regular music therapy sessions include; a means of non-verbal communication, can encourage vocalising in non-verbal clients and lead to more use of voice, encourages eye contact, promotes relaxation and decreases agitation and repetitive behaviours, enhances social skills - particularly in a group setting (turntaking etc).
Music Therapy and Acquired Brain Injury / Stroke Rehabilitation / Parkinson's
The techniques of Neurologic Music Therapy help clients with communication difficulties, along with physical aspects of brain injury and neurologic conditions. Techniques include:
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~Melodic Intonation Therapy which works on development of speech using sung/chanted melodies
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~Rhythmic Speech Cuing uses a steady rhythm to help pace the rate of speech
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~Musical Executive Function Training involves skills such as problem solving and decision making through activities such as improvisation and song writing
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~Therapeutic Instrumental Music Performance uses instrument play to encourage range of motion, strength, dexterity and co-ordination.
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~Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation uses a steady rhythm to help gait training and pace the clients' steps.
Other areas
Other areas where Music Therapy may be beneficial include;
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~Bereaved children; as they may not be able to express in words what they are feeling, and can do this safely within the medium of music.
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~Adolescents may also find it difficult to express themselves, and lyric analysis or song writing may be a safe way of exploring these feelings.
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~Behavioural problems - Music Therapy is a successful intervention for addressing emotional and behavioural difficulties. It provides a creative, non-threatening and non-intrusive environment which helps to break down inhibitions & promote communication.
About Me
My name is Linda Collins and I am a qualified Music Therapist and registered with the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT). I graduated from my Bachelors in Music from National University of Ireland, Maynooth in 2006, and pursued my Masters in Music Therapy directly afterwards at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick, graduating in 2008.
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I have gained experience in Nursing Home settings, along with education, intellectual disability, and community settings over the past 10 years.
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I recently completed the Neurologic Music Therapy course (Sept '17), and I am interested in gaining more experience in the Neurologic and Rehabilitation settings.
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Along with Music Therapy I am also a piano and flute teacher, and enjoy instilling a love of music and encouraging students on their musical journey.