Clare Maddocks

A Bit About Me & My Therapeutic Approach

Music has always had some part in my life and I'm a believer of how, as we grow, our music adapts, changes and evolves with us. I grew up in Glasgow and I've recently moved back to Scotland having lived in and around England for many years. While I left a day dreaming 18 year old who listened to an eclectic mix of P!nk, Corelli and The Killers, I've returned as a Mum, dog owner and a lover of lounge wear. I still dabble in my adolescent tunes but I've added a few new albums along the way. 

Some of the most formative musical experiences I had growing up were in community settings. Playing in hospital wards at Christmas time and volunteering in Additional Support Needs schools during my late teens were some of the first times I experienced how music can reach all people in different ways, and that engagement with music doesn't always need words.

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I've always been fascinated by music and its impact on the brain. Discovering and training in Neurologic Music Therapy has further developed my passion, intrigue and skills in how to use music to support connection with others, provide support where it is needed and to help build strategies for growth. I use a humanistic approach in my work, developing aims and goals with clients and using music to holistically support communicative, relational, functional and psychological needs.

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Essentially, music is used in sessions as a safe, non-invasive tool can be used to express, externalise and process inner thoughts and feelings. But where there may be moments where entering into music is too overwhelming or daunting, I offer space to talk if a client wishes to. I'm a Neurologic Music Therapist, so I view much of my work through a physiological and neurologic lens whilst also acknowledging the psychological impact music has. 

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One of my most favourite things about music is its ability to be completely immersive - ever had that experience of listening to a piece of music and you get so lost in it it's like the entire world slips away for a wee while? Music engages us neurologically and emotionally all at once, and where a client wishes I support the development of how to use music as a strategy to help manage the challenges that arise in everyday life. 

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The key I think to Music Therapy (pardon the pun), and probably to life in general, is that you get as much out of it as you put in. It isn't about having prior musical training (and we can use many different forms such as listening to familiar music, improvisation and singing): it's simply about being open to entering into music with another person sitting alongside, supporting you to explore your music as a tool to externalise and be heard in a safe, non-judgemental space without the need to put everything into words.​​​

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