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Our Music therapist works with both individuals and small groups of pupils at Pitcheroak. Music therapy helps pupils to address emotional and physical challenges through guided music making. Some of the benefits include:
Dan is a Psychodynamic Music Therapist with experience of working with Learning Disabilities (both children and adults), children with attachment issues, ASD, additional learning needs and behavioural and emotional difficulties.
Through musical expression Dan enables pupils to explore and connect with the world and their responses to it. Therapy sessions are held in a safe, caring and confidential environment and can be powerful in helping pupils confront barriers that interfere with emotional and mental well-being.
A wide range of musical styles and instruments are used, including the voice, and the music is, more often than not, improvised.
Music Therapists are registered with the Health Care Professions Council (www.hcpc.uk.org) and are skilled musicians who have undergone extensive NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) approved Masters (MA) level training.
Reasons students at Pitcheroak may be referred to Music Therapy include:
Play Therapy uses a variety of play and creative arts techniques to alleviate chronic, mild and moderate psychological and emotional conditions in pupils that may exhibit behavioural problems and/or prevent them from realising their potential.
Our Play Therapist works integratively using a wide range of play and creative arts techniques, mostly responding to the pupil’s wishes. This distinguishes the Play Therapist from more specialised therapists (Art, Music, Drama etc.)
Play therapy may be non-directive (where the pupil decides what to do in a session, within safe boundaries; directive (where the therapist leads the session) or a mixture of the two. Play therapy is particularly effective with children who cannot, or do not want to talk about their problems.
Drama therapy is the intentional use of drama and/or theater processes to achieve therapeutic goals.
Drama therapy is an embodied practice that is active and experiential. This approach can provide the context for pupils to tell their stories, set goals and solve problems, express feelings, or achieve catharsis. Through drama, the depth and breadth of inner experience can be actively explored and interpersonal relationship skills can be enhanced.
Headteacher: Ms S Holden
