Music therapy
Who we help
Music therapy can support children and young people who are finding life challenging. At Clap & Toot we most often work with:
Adopted children adjusting to family life after early experiences of loss, trauma, or neglect
Families who want support with emotional regulation, attachment, and everyday harmony at home
Young people in schools who may be struggling with learning, behaviour, or relationships
Parents, carers, and professionals who need guidance on how to support a child creatively and sensitively
Music therapy offers a safe, creative space for children to explore feelings, build trust, and discover ways to regulate themselves with support.
What happens in sessions
Every session looks different because every child is unique. A young person might choose to:
Play instruments and improvise with the therapist
Use music technology to create or record sounds
Listen to music together that reflects their mood
Write songs or build playlists to express how they feel
There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to do music therapy. The aim is to give children a safe and creative space where they can express themselves, explore feelings, and discover ways to feel calmer and more confident.
Here’s a short video to show children what music therapy looks like.
Our approach
At Clap & Toot, music therapy is guided by principles that place children’s safety, relationships, and individuality at the centre.
Psychodynamically-informed
We create space for feelings to emerge safely through music.
Creative methods
We use a variety of musical and creative tools tailored to each child.
Systemic practice
We liaise with parents, carers and professionals while respecting the child’s confidentiality.
Centring children's voices
We actively cultivate young people's voices in the assessment and review process.
What to expect
The journey of music therapy, step by step
We begin with a short, no-obligation chat (usually 15 minutes by phone or video call). This is a chance for you to tell us a little about your child, ask questions, and decide whether music therapy feels like a good fit.
If school staff, social workers or adoption support services are involved, we can link with them to help sort out funding, logistics and referrals. This ensures the right support is in place before sessions start.
Every child begins with a three-session assessment. Alongside these, we meet with parents or carers to hear your perspective. Afterward, you receive an assessment report. This stage helps us all decide whether ongoing music therapy is right for your child.
This is where the magic happens! If we continue, sessions usually happen once a week during term time, in your home, at school, or another agreed setting. Each child’s sessions look different. Some involve lively music-making, others quiet listening or drawing. The focus is always on what helps your child feel safe and supported.
We meet with parents and professionals at regular intervals to reflect on progress. This helps us celebrate achievements, consider any changes in support needs, and agree together on next steps.
FAQs
Music therapy is an evidence-based therapy where children use music to explore and express feelings that may be hard to put into words. It does not require any musical ability. Through playing, listening, and creating music with a qualified therapist, children can develop emotional regulation, self-awareness, and stronger connections with others. All music therapists in the UK are trained at MA level and are registered as allied healthcare professionals with HCPC.
Sessions can take place at your family home, in schools, or online. We also have a home studio in SW19 that has a waitlist at the moment. We will work with you to decide what feels most comfortable and practical for your child.
Children and young people don’t need any musical training or ability to take part. Music therapy is about self-expression and connection, not performance or skill. With that said, a curiosity towards music making and music listening is always welcomed!
We work with families privately and also through funding from local authorities and schools, such as Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF), Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP), Pupil Premium (PP) and Virtual School funding. Fees vary depending on location and session type. We are trusted providers for Adopt London West and Adopt London South, as well as other London boroughs. If you’re unsure what funding may be available, we can guide you.
Every child and young person is different. Some may benefit from a short block of sessions with specific developmental goals in mind. Others need longer-term support if they are growing from developmental trauma with attachment-based goals. We carry out regular reviews with families and professionals to make sure therapy is meeting your child’s needs.
What children share in sessions is kept confidential, unless we have concerns of their wellbeing. This is in line with HCPC professional standards and the Children Act 2004. With the child’s consent, we may share themes or progress with parents and carers to support understanding at home, always with sensitivity to the child’s privacy.
It may be helpful to highlight the difference between music therapy and talking therapy, if talking about feelings is a barrier. Our practice offer a 3-session assessment period for each child. It is as much an opportunity for them and you, as a family, to see if we are a good fit, as it is for us to get to know your child. We meet where our clients are, and sometimes it may mean focusing on building a relationship through music listening or improvising in early sessions. If your child remains hesitant about music therapy, we will explore whether music therapy is the appropriate intervention now. We are a consent-based service and will never force children and young people to engage.
What families say
My child is now ready to tackle life!
Saran*, mother of teenager
Music therapy is a lifeline for my child.
Caroline & Sukdev*, parents of adopted child
Here are some of the words children have used to describe their experience of music therapy
(all anonymised and shared with consent).
*Parents’ names have been changed and all children’s feedback is anonymised. Feedback is shared with consent.
Next steps
If you think music therapy might help your child or are interested to know more, let’s have a chat.