This is part of a five-part series of 15 minute programmes broadcast on Radio 3 in September 2025. The programmes focus on the work of music therapists called ‘How Music Heals’.
ELFT's Donald Wetherick discussed music therapy work from the ERA research project, led by Dr Catherine Carr, a Music Therapist on Leadenhall Ward at Tower Hamlets Centre for Mental Health and Senior Clinical Lecturer at Queen Mary, University of London.
The ERA study compares group arts therapies (art therapy, dance movement therapy and music therapy) to group counselling in a randomised controlled trial. The study took place between 2019 - 2025 with 425 participants across five UK sites. Over 200 service users participated from ELFT community services.
Dr Carr said: "The study is unique in that it offered participants their preferred form of arts therapy and allowed for a range of different mental health diagnoses."
The study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with findings due to be published soon.
Each of the Radio 3 programmes in the series focuses on a different stage of life and the specialised work of a different therapist and their clients whether children, young people or adults. Psychotherapist and author Philippa Perry presents each programme.
Episode one of 'How Music Heals' is available to listen to here from 9.45pm, Monday 22 September on BBC Radio 3.