The Arts Performance Centre (APC) based in Tsumeb, recently implemented a new subject – music therapy – the first of its kind in Namibia.

Music therapy is the clinical use of music to accomplish individualised goals such as reducing stress and improving mood and self-expression. It helps psychologically, emotionally, physically, spiritually and socially. This type of therapy can benefit military service members and veterans to cope with trauma, people in correctional settings, mental health facilities and foster care homes may find music therapy to help with problem-solving, communication skills, relaxation and decreasing impulsivity. Music therapy can also help decrease pain, anxiety, fatigue and depression for people with chronic pain. It may as well be beneficial to substance abusers, as research has shown that music therapy can increase motivation and self-esteem, reduce muscle tension, decrease anxiety, improve self-awareness and strengthen coping skills.

During music therapy, the patient and therapist will do one or more of the following: 

* The patient will lie on a sound bed.

* The music therapist will conduct some music on the sound bed.

* Additional musicians will play calming classical instruments in the background.

* After the music therapy, the music therapist will evaluate the effectiveness of the music therapy session, and determine if the patient’s goals were met.

One may choose to participate in multiple sessions.