Music therapy is an allied health service provided as part of our multi-disciplinary team. Music therapy involves using music in a playful and non-directive way to support children and adolescents and their families to achieve a variety of different therapy goals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is it?

A registered music therapist (RMT) is a qualified therapist who has completed an accredited course at a university. RMTs have studied all aspects of music performance and theory, as well as psychology, physiology and social theory, and models of therapeutic intervention. RMTs are registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association 

 

How can a Music Therapist help?

• Provide regulation tools and strategies

• Build self confidence and self identity

• Support healthy relationship building

• Provide opportunities for emotional exploration and learning different feeling states

• Provide opportunities for collaboration and engagement

• Coping and adjustment support

• Support a range of different communication styles (non verbal/verbal)

• Support body awareness through music and movement activities

• Provide choice-making opportunities and self advocacy skills

 

Why is it special?

 

Music can activate most brain regions simultaneously so it can have a profound effect when used as a therapeutic tool. You also don’t need to have any specific musical skills or experience to benefit from Music Therapy!

 

Music Therapy creates opportunities for children and adolescents to creatively explore and share their inner worlds as well as experience the joy of play in a natural and supportive way. These experiences help children and adolescents learn about who they are and how they can use their personal strengths in their everyday lives.

 

What could you see in a Music Therapy session?

·       Instrumental play

·       Music and movement

·       Song writing

·       Improvisation

·       Singing

·       Live music combined with relaxation techniques

·       Music based play involving toys

·       Music and technology e.g. GarageBand

·       Use of recorded music

·       Music and art

·       Exploring healthy music use and access with teens

·       Developing personalised playlists for use at home 

 

Music therapy also works well alongside many other allied health therapies, including Speech Pathology, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychology.