Talking #TeamCWPT blog

with Alex Lowman, Music Therapist

Alex Lowman has over 20 years' experience working with children with learning disabilities, adults with brain injuries and older people, using music as a therapeutic tool to help people feel heard, valued and understood.

Alex works in our Children's Community Learning Disabilities Team, providing specialist music therapy to children who have a moderate/severe learning disability, who might find it difficult to communicate their thoughts and feelings.

Alongside delivering therapy, Alex supports the wider team with initial assessments and referrals to music therapy. She also helps to inspire and teach the next generation of music therapists by facilitating university placements and providing introductions to music therapy for students.

What is music therapy?

Alex says: "Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based practice which uses music to support a person's physical, emotional, cognitive and social wellbeing. As therapists, we use music as a tool for healing and development, through listening, singing, playing instruments, writing songs and moving to music.

"It works because music activates multiple parts of the brain at once, including areas linked to emotion, memory, movement and attention. Music is deeply tied to human biology and culture. Unlike some therapies, it can reach people even when language or traditional communication is difficult, which is a key part of the everyday struggle experienced by the children we see on the Children's Community Learning Disabilities Team."

It is also:

• Regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• A professionally registered discipline since the 1990s
• Evolving to include psychological theories and has a growing evidence base
• Delivered by over 1,100 practising music therapists in UK
• Helping to address health inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities
• A reasonable adjustment when talking therapies are not accessible or appropriate

What might happen in a music therapy session?

Each music therapy session is tailored to the individual but may include:

• Spontaneous music making (improvisation)
• Playing or singing familiar songs
• Therapeutic songwriting
• Listening to music
• Verbal interventions, where appropriate

Sessions create a safe, supportive space where children can explore feelings, relationships and communication at their own pace.

Benefits of music therapy

 Our teams have seen music therapy support people to:

• Build stronger relationships
• Increase confidence and self esteem
• Develop communication skills
• Express emotions safely and appropriately
• Engage more positively with other services
• Experience reduced anxiety and distress
• Lessen feelings of sadness and loss

By breaking down communication barriers, music therapy helps people feel heard, understood and valued in ways that words alone cannot achieve.