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An Introduction to the Nordoff Robbins approach to Music Therapy

Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy via FutureLearn

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Overview

Understand a person-centred approach to music therapy

This introductory six-week course will help you explore music therapy through the Nordoff Robbins person-centred approach.

You’ll gain an understanding of how music therapy works today, and how the practice has developed over the last half-century.

Exploring your own relationship with music along the way, you’ll discover the key elements of how music therapy works and can help in a range of settings.

Discover the pioneering work of Nordoff Robbins

You’ll examine the early work of Paul Nordoff and Clive Robbins who pioneered ‘music as therapy’.

Once you have understood music therapy’s roots, you’ll discover the current work carried out through the charity, Nordoff Robbins UK. You’ll explore the importance of music-making, the role of groups and communities, and the worldwide impact of the work from the UK’s largest independent provider of music therapy.

Develop the skills of a music therapist

You’ll discover how the approach to music therapy has evolved to meet the needs of our changing world, and the critical skills needed to become a music therapist, such as the importance of listening.

You’ll also have an opportunity to explore therapeutic development through shared music therapy case studies.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a solid understanding of the importance of music therapy, your relationship with music, and the role of a music therapist.

This course is designed for anyone interested in music therapy and the Nordoff Robbins approach.

You don’t need any prior experience to join this introductory course.

You’ll need to be able to access the course through your computer or through a mobile device. Additionally we would recommend the use of a ‘reflective journal’ where you can make your own notes.

Syllabus

  • Introduction - Music and You
    • What is effective learning?
    • How do you experience music?
    • How can music be therapeutic?
    • Why do we respond to music?
  • The importance of listening
    • Welcome to Week 2
    • How we observe music therapy - Mary and Antonia
    • How we observe music therapy - Kath and Richard
    • Comparing to your thoughts from Week 1
  • The History of Nordoff Robbins
    • Introduction to Week 3
    • The story of Nordoff and Robbins
    • Individual music therapy
    • The music therapy ideas of Nordoff and Robbins
    • Nordoff and Robbins' approach to listening
    • Summarising the week and looking forwards to Week 4
  • It takes two...
    • What is different about making music with another person?
    • Can music elicit an immediate response?
    • What happened when Nordoff and Robbins made music with Karin?
    • What is the role of the music therapist in making music with another person?
  • Nordoff Robbins work in groups and community settings
    • How has group work changed at Nordoff Robbins?
    • How can group music-making benefit participants?
    • How has group work changed within Nordoff Robbins music therapy?
    • Context, boundaries and the ripple effect
    • Conclusion
  • Conclusion
    • Questions and thoughts...
    • Nordoff Robbins music therapy worldwide
    • Further Reading
    • Conclusion

Taught by

Mary Veal

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4.8 rating at FutureLearn based on 24 ratings

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