Music Therapy
Music Therapy is a psychological therapy which uses music to communicate, express emotions and relate to each other. It has been proven to be a highly effective creative therapy for children and adults of all ages. Often when words sometimes fail, music speaks and can offer a non-directive accessible way of exploring feelings and/or events in our lives. It can be helpful for those experiencing mental health challenges or illness, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, ASD, working through and processing trauma and more. Music Therapy includes music but can also involve talking, depending on the client and their needs.
Sometimes Music Therapy can offer an opportunity for some people to have non-verbal conversations with the therapist. For example, a child who is non-verbal which can hugely improve communication skills, social skills, confidence and uplift their mood. Sometimes music offers a way in for people to explore the reason they came to therapy.
Clients often take part in music making and this can also vary a lot depending on their preferences. Examples include improvised music together with the client and therapist, playing well known or favourite songs/music together, song-writing, drumming games and listening to music. Together the client and therapist would decide on goals/aims for therapy and work towards reaching or becoming closer to these goals in therapy. There has been a lot of research and studies into how music can affect our brains and how playing music with others affects us too. Music has been shown to help to regulate the stress hormone cortisol in our bodies, help to increase empathy, uplift our mood, to increase energy levels and decrease levels of depression and anxiety.
Sometimes Music Therapy can offer an opportunity for some people to have non-verbal conversations with the therapist. For example, a child who is non-verbal which can hugely improve communication skills, social skills, confidence and uplift their mood. Sometimes music offers a way in for people to explore the reason they came to therapy.
Clients often take part in music making and this can also vary a lot depending on their preferences. Examples include improvised music together with the client and therapist, playing well known or favourite songs/music together, song-writing, drumming games and listening to music. Together the client and therapist would decide on goals/aims for therapy and work towards reaching or becoming closer to these goals in therapy. There has been a lot of research and studies into how music can affect our brains and how playing music with others affects us too. Music has been shown to help to regulate the stress hormone cortisol in our bodies, help to increase empathy, uplift our mood, to increase energy levels and decrease levels of depression and anxiety.
Music Therapy is delivered by CK Therapy Compassionate Partner Sarah Dickins-Mehta
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Sarah is a registered and experienced Music Therapist offering individual and group Music Therapy sessions. She has a rich variety of experience working in the NHS as a Music Therapist and as a freelancer supporting both adults and children mainly those experiencing moderate to severe mental health challenges, such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, PTSD and suicidal ideations. |
Sarah has recently gained experience working for CAMHS (child and adolescent mental health service), Olivebank Child and Family Centre supporting children with high ACE score (adverse childhood experiences), trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Development Delay and mental health challenges. Sarah also worked in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People Psychology Paediatric Liaison Service supporting children with mental health illness which emerged from their stay in hospital receiving specialist medical treatment for various reasons.
Sarah has a background working as a Music and English teacher to children and adults, both abroad in Hong Kong and UK and has worked with children for 14 years. Sarah has also recently worked in adult acute inpatient psychiatric wards at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital supporting adults in severe mental health crisis providing both groups and one to one therapy.
When appropriate, Sarah enjoys working cross-culturally in Music Therapy offering a variety of musical genres and styles from different cultures. For example, Indian and Nepalese flute, African djembe drumming, as well as western instruments such as piano and guitar and small percussion. Sarah specialises in the flute and enjoys performing as well as composing new music.
Sarah currently works for the charity Imara CIO in Nottingham as a Music Therapist supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse and their families. In her Music Therapy practice, Sarah focuses on creating a relaxed, non-judgemental and open environment for clients and Sarah puts empowerment, compassion and empathy at the heart of her work. Sarah works in a client centred flexible way which allows the people she supports to shape the direction of therapy and offer personalised therapy to meet individual goals and needs. Sarah believes in the power of both a therapeutic relationship and music to create growth and change for individuals.
Sarah has a background working as a Music and English teacher to children and adults, both abroad in Hong Kong and UK and has worked with children for 14 years. Sarah has also recently worked in adult acute inpatient psychiatric wards at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital supporting adults in severe mental health crisis providing both groups and one to one therapy.
When appropriate, Sarah enjoys working cross-culturally in Music Therapy offering a variety of musical genres and styles from different cultures. For example, Indian and Nepalese flute, African djembe drumming, as well as western instruments such as piano and guitar and small percussion. Sarah specialises in the flute and enjoys performing as well as composing new music.
Sarah currently works for the charity Imara CIO in Nottingham as a Music Therapist supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse and their families. In her Music Therapy practice, Sarah focuses on creating a relaxed, non-judgemental and open environment for clients and Sarah puts empowerment, compassion and empathy at the heart of her work. Sarah works in a client centred flexible way which allows the people she supports to shape the direction of therapy and offer personalised therapy to meet individual goals and needs. Sarah believes in the power of both a therapeutic relationship and music to create growth and change for individuals.