Who am I?
My name is Lexi. I have background in working in child, adolescent and adult mental health. I support young people at Fosse Way School from primary age, to post-16.
I am a neuro-diversity affirmative therapist, meaning that there is a focus on each young person’s specific needs as a neurodivergent individual. Young people are helped to recognise and celebrate their strengths, whilst recognising that some things will be harder for them. I am a trauma informed practitioner.
Lexi Giorgetti-Knott, HCPC registered music therapist and member of the British Association of Music Therapists
Music Therapy at Fosse Way School.
About music therapy:
Music therapy supports young people to improve their social, emotional and psychological wellbeing. A range of instruments and creative materials are available in sessions. Music therapy can be a ‘way in’ for young people. Using improvised music (music created in the moment) with a therapist’s support, can help young people feel socially connected, develop their vocal expression, experience periods of joint focus, find a creative outlet and explore feeling states.
Sometimes it is difficult for young people to talk about their emotions. Making music can provide a non-threatening way of exploring feelings in a confidential space. As well as improvising music, young people can use the therapy sessions to explore song writing as a way of articulating themselves and making sense of experiences, or, listening to music which is meaningful, as a springboard to thinking about emotions.
Aims of sessions are considered with parent(s)/teachers, and, where possible, with young people. Each young person is different, and work is always person-centred. Therapeutic goals may be to: reduce feelings of anxiety, express feelings and emotional states through music, explore difficult life events, think about sense of identity, develop self-confidence, develop communication skills.
Family work – The goal of family sessions is to create a safe space, where those attending can relate to each other using musical communication, with time to reflect on the music created. Music can be used to express ideas, emotions, and to promote positive ways of relating. Family sessions typically consist of the young person and one care giver.
Group sessions – Depending on age and need, group sessions will have different goals, but might include, using music to collaborate in a prosocial way (listening to others’ contributions, turn taking, introducing or responding to musical ideas) or using song writing, lyric composition or improvised music making to explore themes which are meaningful for the group members.