Music therapy uses playing, listening to, and making music as the therapeutic medium — no musical training needed. For people who find words difficult, whether due to trauma, developmental disability, dementia, or simply not being "talkers," music can express and process feelings that speech can't easily reach.
A session might involve improvising together on simple instruments, using recorded music to explore memory and emotion, or song-writing to give shape to an experience. It's widely used with children with additional needs, people with dementia, and anyone for whom talking therapy alone feels inaccessible or insufficient.
The music therapist listed with ABCAP has verified qualifications and insurance; their profile describes the populations and settings they work with.
ABCAP is not a regulatory body. Listing in the ABCAP directory is not an endorsement of a therapist's competence, fitness to practise, or conduct. We recommend verifying a therapist's qualifications and professional body membership directly before booking a session.
No musical skill or experience is needed — the therapy uses simple instruments and musical interaction, not performance.
Widely used with children with developmental or communication needs, people with dementia, and anyone who finds pure talking therapy hard to access or insufficient on its own.
No — it works through the emotional and neurological responses music produces in almost everyone, not a particular appreciation for music as an art form.