What is music therapy?
Music therapy is a research-based allied health profession in which music is used to actively support people as they aim to improve their health, functioning and well-being. It can help people of all ages to manage their physical and mental health and enhance their quality of life.
You don’t need to be musical to take part in or benefit from music therapy. Qualified music therapists plan and provide musical experiences for their clients. Each session is tailored to the needs and goals of the client.
Music therapists are committed to supporting people of any age, ability or background. They work across the full age spectrum from newborn children through to older adults.
Visit the Australian Music Therapy Association for more information.
What is a Registered Music Therapist?
A Registered Music Therapist (RMT) is a music therapist who is registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA). To be eligible to register with AMTA, a Registered Music Therapist needs to complete a certified university course in music therapy and maintain their skills through ongoing professional development as approved by the AMTA.
Currently in Australia, music therapy training is at a master’s level and courses are offered at The University of Melbourne and The Western Sydney University. The course is two years full time.
To enter the master’s course, students must have completed an undergraduate degree in music or a related health profession with demonstrated high level musical skills.
Why use a Registered Music Therapist?
Registered Music Therapists are not only skilled musicians, they are trained in understanding the effects music experiences can have on behaviours, feelings, thoughts and actions. Music therapists use their therapy training and musical ability to facilitate interactive musical experiences to help clients achieve goals. These goals may include improved communication, cognition, physical function, mood, wellbeing, and/or spiritual goals.
Who is music therapy for?
Music therapy can help support people of any age who might be experiencing challenges (including mental, intellectual, physical, emotional or social) or wishing to improve their well-being.
Music therapy is often used to address a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking, behaviour, communication and movement including:
- Autism
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Cancer
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Physical disabilities
- Dementia
- Stroke
- Spinal cord injury
- Neurodegenerative conditions.
Music therapy can also be used in hospitals and health care centres to help patients deal with stress, discomfort and pain. It is used to help patients who have:
- Cancer and diseases of the blood and bone marrow
- Advanced diseases that have little or no chance of cure or recovery
- Experienced a stroke or brain injury
- Mental health illnesses
- Had surgery or other medical procedures.
Do I have to be referred by a doctor?
No, Registered Music Therapists can assess and treat without referral by a doctor.
How is music therapy different to music lessons or music entertainment?
Music therapy is different to music lessons and music entertainment in that:
- The main goal of music therapy is not musical, for example, to improve fine motor skills, speech or communication skills. Musical experiences are used to achieve non-musical goals. For example, motivating people to use their fingers or to respond to music emotionally and physically. The added benefits of music therapy are musical, and often include opportunities for musical participation.
- The main goal of music lessons is music focused. For example, to learn how to play a musical instrument, sing or read music. The added benefits of music lessons are not musical, and may include improved confidence, focus and fine motor skills.
- The main goal of music entertainment is entertainment. For example, a person listens to music or watches a concert to be entertained. It is a passive experience that involves listening to or participating in a musical activity. The added benefits of music entertainment can be the relaxation, thrill or an emotional feeling from the experience
What happens in a music therapy session?
A music therapy session occurs face-to-face either in person or online. Music therapists use a range of music therapy methods. They tailor each session to the needs of the person. A session may include:
- Listening to music played by the music therapist.
- Listening to recorded music.
- Making music by playing an instrument or singing.
- Using or writing lyrics and songs.
- Getting resources and activities to do outside of your music therapy session.
To maximise the benefit of your music therapy, Registered Music Therapists try to understand your situation and goals. This can involve working closely with your family, carers and other health professionals such as:
- Occupational therapists
- Speech therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Neurologists and
- Doctors.
Treatment duration depends on your needs. Re-evaluations will be done to assess your progress and your therapist communicates with you and your care-giving team to help you achieve your therapy goals.
Yes! Music therapy is covered by the NDIS under Capacity Building - Improved Daily Living. This is generally the category where all allied health therapies are budgeted for. It is important to note that your music therapy services MUST BE PROVIDED BY A REGISTERED MUSIC THERAPIST to be able to use NDIS funding to pay for them. Beware of community musicians and music teachers claiming to provide music therapy without the approriate degrees or registration.
No. There are currently no rebates available through Medicare or Private Health Insurers for music therapy.
To cancel or reschedule your music therapy session please call 07 5647 6120 or email info@qpah.com.au.
The following applies to our Music Therapy sessions:
Please find our carefully considered cancellation policy below:
— Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment to avoid the cancellation fee.
— Late notice cancellations inside of the 48 hour period or failure to attend on the day of your appointment will incur the full scheduled fee.
— Our cancellation policy remains in place in the instance of illness, however a make-up session or non-face-to-face services can be provided.
— If you fail to attend 2 or more sessions in a row without explanation, you will be placed back onto our waiting list.
— During a school term, you must attend 80% or more of your scheduled sessions to avoid being placed back on our waiting list. *Subject to review at the end of each school term*
We ask you to respect this relaxed cancellation policy and understand that we have a duty of care to you and will check in with you should the frequency of short notice cancellations be of concern , as consistent attendance is in your child’s best interest and appointment times are valuable as all QPAH clinicians have families on waiting lists for regular appointments.
Ask us a Question
Feel free to ask any physical therapy related questions over the phone, or get send your question via this form below. Your message will be dispatched directly to our staff who will answer as soon as they can.