RUN, DO NOT WALK to a Rhythm2Recovery workshop if you ever get a chance to participate – such valuable ideas for music interventions that resolve around rhythm & drumming. It was absolutely worth the money spent and everything and more that I hoped it would be.
Archives: Testimonials
Gerard McDonell, Senior Psychological Advisor, Specialist Support Unit, NSW Education Department.
Whether in sessions with individuals all the way through to larger groups, R2R allows me the flexibility to address any number of issues that come up and for any length of time. From single sessions, through to an endless process of finding connection through rhythm and music, R2R allows me to find the balance that is required between conscious cognitive content and calming activities that allow us to emotionally regulate. I am very excited about its application within my work.
Dr Jane Bentley, Mental Health clinician, Glasgow UK.
An absolute treasure trove of highly practical, concrete, grounded exercises which I will absolutely use in my own practice,
Rebecca Arbon – Senior Teacher, Positive Learning Team, NT Department of Education
I have seen tremendous success with indigenous students through these social and emotional learning programs that combine both fun drumming and reflection, Both male and female students gain confidence, resilience, a stronger sense of self and a stronger sense of belonging. Many of our indigenous students are better able to communicate with the assistance of the drums and feel more comfortable communicating within the group due to the relationships built during drumming games and activities. I am yet to see a student who has not displayed growth in social and emotional skills after being part of this work – I couldn’t recommend the Rhythm2Recovery programs enough.
Kate Leung – Music Therapist
Well organised and a perfect location. This training was inspirational with highly experienced and supportive leaders. The music making was so much fun and the opportunities for new learning were constant. I hope to be back again next year – Thanks so much.
Dr Jim Oshinsky, Clinical Psychologist, Adelphi University, New York
Simon Faulkner is an articulate and professional researcher, who can isolate and describe the social principles involved when people entrain via rhythm. This combination of skills served him well when he designed a sequence of classes using group rhythm activities to promote social skills gains in youth at risk in his native country of Australia. The DRUMBEAT program, he designed, grew to become one of the most successful and best documented programs of its kind in the world. Simon’s new work with Rhythm2Recovery has applications in corporate settings to examine team relationships, among incarcerated populations to encourage appropriate socialization and self esteem, in schools, in rehab centers, and dozens of other settings. The work is of high value to music teachers, music therapists, and music performers who wish to add new levels of audience involvement to their concerts. While his work is taught through a medium that requires no prior musical experience, it applies to all instruments at all levels of sophistication.
Professor Robert Donovan, Senior Principal Research Fellow School of Human Sciences, University of Western Australia
The Rhythm2Recovery Model ticks all the boxes of what we know about effective mental health interventions.
It incorporates universal principles of effective practice, including active physical activity, social connection and increasing awareness and understanding of the issues that impact an individuals wellbeing. I have been involved in the research into this model and its outcomes are supported by good hard evidence.
Jen Ryckaert
Our group of music therapists found their time with Simon to be incredibly valuable and all of the feedback that I’ve received about this workshop has been very positive. He provided a great balance between practical drumming interventions and discussion around topics such as group dynamics and therapeutic music making. The workshop not only gave us strategies for working with our clients, but also provided us with a great team music-making experience!
Dr. Bruce Perry
Rhythmic exercises, such as drumming are central to the clinical application of our growing understanding of neurobiology; in particular the impact of dysregulation of primal brain function due to trauma or neglect. Both the brainstem and diencephalon or midbrain region are strongly affected by rhythms as they organize in the womb and during the first years of life. Somatosensory interventions that provide patterned, repetitive, neural input into the brainstem and diencephalon monoamine neural networks, assist with the realignment of homeostatic systems and help reduce anxiety, impulsivity and other trauma related symptoms.
Jo-anne D’Cress
This was a very valuable training program with material which will be of great benefit to our clients and community. I really enjoyed the effort Simon put into ensuring the content was tailored to the issues our team are dealing with on a daily basis.