What is ‘Synchordia’?

Synchordia comes from the Greek word for chord, συγχορδία — ‘syn’ + ‘chord’: the strings of an instrument playing together in harmony. Coming from a background in guitar, I liked the connection between tuning an instrument and taking care of oneself: knowing what to listen out for, then knowing how to tune it up so that the instrument (or ourselves) can play to its fullest potential. It was the name of my hypnotherapy practice in Cape Town, South Africa; then on Paros, Greece; and now it has taken up residence in Edinburgh, Scotland!

I can’t play music — can I still see a music therapist?

Absolutely! Music therapy isn’t like a music class, where there are tests and grades and exams. We use music as a means of expressing yourself and finding out more about yourself in the process. It isn’t about how proficiently or ‘nicely’ you play.

Besides, you may surprise yourself at how much music you actually can make, and for many people it’s one of the few opportunities they have to explore this side of themselves!

Do I have to talk about stuff in music therapy? Actually… do I have to talk at all?

Music therapy can take a variety of forms. Many people enjoy speaking while, before, or after they play some music… Others enjoy walking in, sitting down with an instrument and getting started, no chatting required! One of the main strengths of music therapy, in my opinion, is the opportunity to express what might be so difficult to put into words, and not needing to worry about ‘saying the right thing’ or revealing something you don’t want to or aren’t ready to talk about.

What’s the difference between music therapy and sound healing?

Both modalities seek to benefit our clients in a holistic way (i.e, body & mind) using music. However, while sound healing is a holistic technique which aims to use soundwaves from specially made instruments to ‘heal’ the client energetically, music therapy is a psychodynamic modality — in other words, we get a training grounded in psychology — and we use music to promote our client’s overall wellbeing through allowing them to understand themselves in relation to themselves and others.

In short, sound healing relies on the idea that music itself can heal; music therapy harnesses music as an expressive tool.

What happens in a music therapy session, then?

Because this wonderful modality is client-centred, it can take a variety of forms, whichever benefits the client the most. Some examples include:

• Making music together on instruments

• Listening to music and discussing afterwards

• Drawing while listening to music

• Movement and music

• Meditation and music

• Voicework

Ultimately, what you bring to a session as a client is the biggest determiner of what the session will look like!