Since the austerity measures of the previous UK government, therapeutic interventions over twenty years in forensic psychiatric services diminished from standards of excellence to that of complete deprivation.
Secure psychiatric rehabilitation services can be an environment where many issues arise including isolation, low self-esteem, uncooperative attitudes and self-harm. These circumstances present challenges in how to understand and contribute compassionately and effectively to people who have been violent and suffered stigma due to childhood abuses, interpersonal, sectarian and racial discrimination, mental illness and substance use disorders. This workshop demonstrates how with resilience and innovation three music therapists have effectively developed a variety of music therapy techniques. Improvisation, song writing, and use of voice were all used to achieve realistic outcomes such as improved emotional state, self-confidence, interaction and social skills.
We aim to build bridges towards positive relational change for people in forensic settings.
We will also share how to help patients to understand our mind- body connections through poly-vagal visual mapping techniques following a musical improvisation.
Stevens. S. (2024) Creativity and Mental Health: Ch 13 pps 245-259 The roots and heart of cognitive analytic music therapy by Compton Dickinson.
The Care Quality commission report on Rampton Hospital (2024) https://www.cqc.org.uk/press-release/cqc-takes-action-protect-people-rampton-hospital
Compton Dickinson & Hakvoort (2017) The Clinicians Guide to Forensic Music therapy. Jessica Kingsley Publications London and New York
Sloboda, A and Compton Dickinson SJ, Ch. 11 pps.162-187 IN: The Handbook of Music Therapy eds Bunt, L., Hos
