Music Therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention to help people whose lives have been affected by injury, illness or disability through supporting their psychological, emotional, cognitive, physical, communicative and social needs. Music Therapists use the innate qualities of music to support people of all backgrounds and abilities, and at all stages of life.
Our Music Therapy team are all trained at Masters level and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). We work with a range of need covering complex mental health, physical difficulties, low level anxiety and stress, and with clients across the spectrum of ASD (both verbal and non-verbal); as well as working with trauma, dementia and learning difficulties, social isolation, and bereavement.
Our team experienced team of therapists work in a variety of settings including:
- adult residential care homes and day centres
- community centres, libraries
- client’s homes
- primary and secondary mainstream and primary and secondary special schools
- outdoor learning environments.
No musical experience is necessary to access music therapy. In sessions we may make music with clients using easy-to-play percussion instruments, we may speak or listen to music, often finding a simple, shared musical beat. The therapist takes the lead from their clients and we share a musical experience over time through music and by building trust.
Music Therapy for Children and Young People
We work with children in primary and secondary mainstream and special schools, and those not attending school. We use music to bring about positive change in a range of circumstances including:
- Emotional and mental health and wellbeing
- Behavioural difficulties
- Learning and physical needs and disabilities
- Young Carers, Looked After Children and those who have experienced trauma.
Music Therapy for Families
This is an effective way to support some or all family members who may be facing temporary or longer-term challenges. It enables families to share and express their feelings with each other using music to support the process. Family therapy can be with some, or all the family group and can support needs such as:
- Difficult family dynamics
- Exploring different ways of being together
- Reframing set behaviours
- Helping to explore a specific event or incident
- Family interactions and communication, making sure every voice is heard.
Music Therapy for Adults
We provide Music Therapy services for adults, including those with learning difficulties, and people who live with dementia, both late and early stages (for example, Osborne House in Clevedon). We also work with a range of other referrals in community settings.
Our therapists tailor sessions depending on particular needs. For example, in dementia care homes, we work for shorter periods, ensuring fleeting connections matter. Sessions may take place at a bedside, or in communal living rooms with group music. We discover songs and music from people’s pasts that are important, helping bring them into the moment by using music to make connections.
This video, made by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust, gives a flavour of music therapy in a local setting.
Costs
Our hourly rate for a music therapy session is £62.50.
Please note: If our therapist is visiting your setting, there is a minimum charge of 90 minutes. If the venue is outside of the West of England region (North Somerset, South Glos, Bristol or BANES) we may also add travel costs.
Sessions costs are sometimes met by parents/carers, but schools or other sources often cover the cost through a range of funding sources, such as:
- Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) funding, often attached to children in need
- Community grants
- Adoption Support Fund (ASF)
- Self-funded
- Some schools use wellbeing, healthy schools or mental health funding for our wellbeing projects.
There are also a small number of music therapy charities that can help parent/carers to fund music therapy; we can point you in their direction.
We offer services outside the West of England region, including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Somerset and further afield. Our charges are the same as above, but we may need to add an additional charge to cover travel costs (mileage and time) depending on your location. We will inform you of these costs before you make any financial commitment.
Referrals
Anyone can be referred for music therapy. You can refer yourself, or if your child is in school you can ask the Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo), to carry out a referral. For children or adults, a key worker or family support worker can also help.
If you would like to refer more than one client, or work in a setting where you would like one of our therapists to be based with you for a day, please contact us directly.
Please email us giving only your name and contact information. Please do not share information about the client at this stage. We will call you back to discuss your individual needs.
Professional Bodies and Membership
Music Therapy is recognised under the umbrella of ‘Arts Therapies'. All our Therapists are registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). The HCPC regulate the work of our Music Therapists and you can look up their registration on the HCPC website. We are also members of the British Association for Music Therapy.

