Therapeutic Music Offerings

I am a Certified Therapeutic Musician (USA-MHTP) playing live acoustic therapeutic music sessions on the cello for people in all settings, creating a healing environment for all health conditions including actively dying. I also specialise in playing for people with cognitive difficulties including dementia. I adapt the music to the needs of each person in the moment, inviting a sense of collaboration and ‘removal’ from current difficulties through the music.

Virtual sessions via FaceTime, Zoom, or other video conferencing platforms are available for those recovering from illness, injury, or trauma, or for anyone else in need of comfort. OR, I can now come and play live for people within a reasonable distance of Musselburgh.

I have performed therapeutic music sessions in hospices, hospitals, paediatric wards, dementia wards, A&E, care and nursing homes, and in private home settings.

Who can benefit from a therapeutic music session?

Everyone who is listening! The focus is specifically for people suffering from anxiety, sleep loss, depression, or the effects of long-term illness as well as for those in intensive care or hospice. Happily, there are residual benefits for anyone who is nearby; including caretakers and family members.

What are the effects of the music?

A trained and experienced therapeutic musician can facilitate music towards decreasing pain, lowering blood pressure, reducing anxiety, stabilising heart rate, and much more.

How long does a therapeutic session last?

The length of each session varies based on the needs of the person listening. Sometimes a session only lasts five-minutes and other times as long as sixty-minutes; as determined by the wishes/responses of the listener.

How is the repertoire chosen?

There is no set repertoire. Instead, music is selected in the moment to adapt to the condition and needs of the person listening. Music is sometimes chosen to provide calm and encourage sleep. Other times the repertoire is more robust and engaging in order to provide focus or lift a listener’s mood and energy.

A session may include classical, Celtic, folk, popular standards, and improvisation.

What does the listener need to do?

No speaking or interaction is needed on the part of the listener unless s/he chooses.

Are sessions in-person or virtual?

Therapeutic music sessions can be in-person or virtual. In either case, it’s essential that the practitioner be able to see the listener in order to observe and adapt the music to their current condition, mood, and state.

Therapeutic Music

One-2-one or small groups

Live therapeutic bedside music is recognised as an enhancement to the healing process. The music is not a performance for entertainment, but rather a service that provides beneficial, therapeutic music that is focused and tailored to each individual.

As a Certified Music Practitioner with considerable experience therapeutically working with people with all health conditions including dementia and in palliative care, these sessions are specifically tailored and co-created based on the often subtle cues provided by the recipient(s).

I can provide these sessions live or via digital media – perhaps for those who are unable to physically attend concerts – or during times of physical distancing.

Testimonials

“Claire is on the planet to bring the vibrations of music for healing and love. She is a top-notch musician with a deep understanding of its powers. So much respect for Claire!” (Music colleague)

“Fantastic person dedicated to helping people through music.” (Recipient)

Contact me for a free trial/to answer questions towards creating a personalised therapeutic music session:
Claire@DrClaireGarabedian.com

Workshops and Training:
Music and dementia

Music and Dementia Workshop: Harnessing music within the everyday

Combining contextual information, demonstrations, hands-on engagement and practical suggestions, this workshop provides participants with practical ways to utilise music towards improving the wellbeing of people living with dementia by improving connection/engagement with those who care and support them.

Learning Outcomes:

Helping participants to understand how and why music can effectively be utilised towards enriching the wellbeing of people who are living with dementia and those care for and support them.

Content includes:

Overview of the use of the historical and current uses of music as a healing modality with a particular emphasis on dementia.

Direct experience of the effects of music.

Suggestions for how music can be incorporated into the everyday life and care of people living with dementia.

Target audience:

This workshop provides an opportunity for people interested in exploring the use of music towards supporting and connecting more effectively with people who are living with dementia. All levels and amounts of musical background can easily be accommodated within this workshop. This workshop includes an easy to grasp theoretical overview, experiential components, and ample opportunities for questions and discussion.

Music and Palliative Care Workshop

Combining contextual information, demonstrations, hands-on engagement and practical suggestions, this workshop provides participants with practical ways to utilise music towards creating a sonic ‘haven’ in connection and comfort can be cultivated for those who are feeling unwell/nearing the end of life/actively dying.

Learning Outcomes:

Helping participants to understand how and why music can effectively be utilised towards comforting people who are feeling unwell/nearing the end of life/actively dying.

Content includes:

Overview of the use of the historical and current uses of music as a healing modality with a particular people who are in palliative care or nearing the end of life/actively dying.

Direct experience of the effects of music.

Suggestions for how music can be incorporated into the care of people who are feeling unwell/nearing the end of life/actively dying.

Target audience:

This workshop provides an opportunity for people interested in exploring the use of music towards comforting and connecting more effectively with people who are feeling unwell/nearing the end of life/actively dying. All levels and amounts of musical background can easily be accommodated within this workshop. This workshop includes an easy to grasp theoretical overview, experiential components, and ample opportunities for questions and discussion.

These workshops can be delivered live or via digital media – perhaps for those who are unable to physically attend – or during times of physical distancing.

Contact me for a free consultation towards scheduling a workshop