Music Therapy
Music Therapy at Coda Music and Arts Trust supports children, young people, and adults with a wide range of needs across Dorset, Hampshire, and surrounding areas. Our service is delivered by fully qualified, HCPC-registered Music Therapists, ensuring a safe, ethical, and evidence-informed clinical practice.
Music Therapy is a recognised clinical intervention that uses music to support emotional, physical, and psychological wellbeing. Through shared musical experiences, we help individuals explore and express feelings, build communication skills, and develop confidence and connection in a supportive environment.
This approach is particularly effective for those who may find it difficult to communicate through words alone. By engaging with rhythm, melody, and sound, participants can connect with others, process experiences, and develop new ways of relating to the world around them.
Research shows that music can engage multiple areas of the brain, supporting emotional expression, sensory processing, memory, and movement. Elements such as rhythm and pulse can help to structure and coordinate physical actions and speech, while musical interaction can foster attention, creativity, and social engagement.
Each session is tailored to the individual, whether working one-to-one or in groups, ensuring that therapy is responsive to personal goals, strengths, and needs.
If you are interested in Music Therapy, please fill in a referral form.
This form can be completed electronically and emailed to us at contact@coda.org.uk
Who can benefit from Music Therapy?
Music Therapy can support people of all ages with a wide range of needs. This includes, but is not limited to:
Autism and related conditions
Learning disabilities
Neurological conditions or injury (e.g. following illness or accident)
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Mental health needs, including anxiety, depression, and trauma
Sensory or physical impairments
Emotional or behavioural challenges
Long-term, life-limiting, or complex health conditions
We take a person-centred approach, recognising that every individual’s strengths, experiences, and goals are unique.
What happens in a Music Therapy session?
Sessions are tailored to the individual and may take place one-to-one or in small groups. No musical experience is needed.
A typical session might include:
Playing instruments or using the voice
Improvising or creating music together
Listening and responding to music
Using rhythm and sound to support communication, movement, or relaxation
The therapist works sensitively with each participant to build trust and create a safe space where they can express themselves, develop skills, and engage at their own pace.
Where and how we deliver our service
Music Therapy takes place at the Coda Music Centre (near Christchurch and New Milton), as well as in community settings. We work in partnership with schools, care homes, healthcare providers, and other organisations, delivering sessions on-site where needed.
Our service includes:
Individual and group Music Therapy
Assessments and tailored intervention plans
Outreach and community-based work
Professional guidance on the use of Music Therapy
All sessions are delivered by qualified Music Therapists who are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and are members of the British Association for Music Therapy.
How can we support you?
To discuss your needs please contact Coda. Or you can download the information sheets and forms via the buttons below.
All forms can be completed electronically and emailed to Coda at contact@coda.org.uk.
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy
FAQs
Music Therapy
Referral Form
Music Therapy
Contract
In recent years we have delivered both pilot and long-term music therapy services in a range of settings including Montacute School, Linwood School, Purbeck Care, Wallisdown Heights Adult Day Care Centre, Poole and Christchurch Hospital’s Stroke Rehabilitation Unit. We are always keen to discuss with you the provision of Music Therapy on your own sites and welcome any enquiries.
“Our experience with Coda was an amazing one. My boy is severely Autistic and to find ways to get to him, to communicate with him, is not an easy task.
Rachel, with her charming personality, managed to get him to interact and engaged with her so enthusiastically and spontaneously through music and sound.
His joy and excitement during his sessions is the best gift a mum of an Autistic child can have. I am confident that music therapy will be a real key in my son’s development and interaction.”
Tally Rosenfeld (Mum of Raz, 8 years old)