Music therapy for children with a variety of difficulties

Music therapy for a variety of problems

„No two sessions are the same,“ says Inga Björk Ingadóttir, a music therapist and the owner of Hljóma, as she describes the music therapy at Hljóma.

„This is a different process for everyone. I have a full room of instruments, of all shapes and sizes. Then we enter a process where we find, together, an instrument that speaks to the individual. Then I use singing and movement that are aimed at the challenges and goals that each person has.“

Music for various problems

The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður has entered into an agreement with Hljóma for 13 children with a variety of needs; such as intellectual or physical disabilities, mental health issues, trauma, social circumstances and emotional difficulties, to receive music therapy sessions. Inga Björk and Mayor Valdimar Víðisson signed the partnership agreement earlier today.

• To take part in the work, you need to apply to Hljóma., sound.is.

„We all have a personal connection to music and very few of us can imagine life without it. It's an inseparable part of us and everything around us; birdsong, a heartbeat in the womb,“ describes Inga Björk. The rhythm is there straight away.

„You hear your mother's heartbeat in the womb. Music is a part of the world and surrounds us all. So we are connected to it in a unique and personal way. It is such a wonderful therapeutic tool precisely because it is a part of us. You connect with the world and life,“ describes Inga Björk beautifully.

Basic rhythm and non-verbal expression

„Everyone has their own fundamental tone, rhythm, flow and pace,“ she says, "and when the music is worked with intentionally, it is so incredibly powerful." The therapy is well-suited to those who find traditional forms of expression difficult.

„Music reaches a depth on a level that other forms of therapy cannot reach in the same way. We can be expressing ourselves to one another when we play music together. Pick up an instrument or sing – a blossoming expression and communication, even though we are not using words.“

Inga says music therapy is often suitable precisely where talking therapy is not. „But the music gets through. It's such a powerful tool. I can't say that often or loudly enough.“

Music: calling and learning in Berlin

Inga Björk studied music therapy in Berlin from 2001 to 2006. „I've been connected to music for as long as I can remember. Music is a big part of me and is my personal sanctuary. I wanted to work with it, but I wasn't keen on a purely performing life, even though I'm a musician too. But that in itself is one-dimensional,“ she explains.

„Then I read an article about music therapy when I was fourteen, and there was no turning back,“ says Inga Björk, who completed the music and psychology stream at MH, went on to study music therapy at the age of 23, and returned just over a decade ago with her family to establish Hljóma in Hafnarfjörður.

„I love my job and am lucky to have found this profession. I look forward to continuing to work with the children who attend the sessions at Hljóma. And bear in mind: no musical knowledge is needed for music therapy. We are working with the fundamentals.“