You know that song. The one that comes on in the supermarket and suddenly you’re 17 again, windows down, singing badly and loving it. Music does that. It reaches deep inside us and offers a way to express ourselves that doesn’t require finding any words.
Music Therapy takes that everyday magic and gives it a job to do.
So what is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is an allied health profession where a Registered Music Therapist (RMT) uses music in a purposeful way to help you work towards your goals. It’s not a music lesson. Nobody is grading your technique or handing out sheet music to practice at home.
Becoming an RMT requires a master’s-level qualification approved by the Australian Music Therapy Association, on top of the ability to play 3 instruments. That training enables your RMT to plan sessions around your goals and adjust their approach based on how you respond.
How Music Therapy works
Music engages networks across the brain involved in hearing, movement, emotion and learning. Rhythm is closely connected with the brain systems involved in timing and movement, while music and speech draw on some overlapping neural processes. Familiar songs can also be powerful cues for personal memories and experiences while slower, more predictable music can aid relaxation.
That broad reach is part of what makes music a useful therapeutic tool. For some people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, a steady beat can provide an external rhythm to support walking, is designed to improve gait speed and stride length. Melody and rhythmic pacing may also support spoken language in people with aphasia following stroke.
For dementia patients, music can be soothing and unlock deep emotional memories when other communication methods decline. Musical memory often remains intact as other capabilities deteriorate.
The relationship between the music therapist and the client is part of what makes music therapy therapeutic. Music provides a shared way to connect, communicate and work towards the client’s goals together.
The four methods your therapist will draw on
Our Music Therapist draws on four established methods, chosen to suit the goal:
- Improvisation: making music up on the spot, with instruments or voice, to explore feelings and practise turn-taking and social connection.
- Re-creation: playing or singing existing songs, which supports motor skills, memory and breath control.
- Composition: writing songs to process experiences and develop genuine pride in something you made.
- Receptive methods: listening, to support relaxation, spark memories and open up conversation – you’d be surprised what flows from this!
Music Therapy at every stage of life
You’re never too old or too young for Music Therapy.
Children
Music Therapy supports emotional regulation, attention, social interaction in groups and speech and language goals. Songs offer structure and repetition without pressure for kids working on communication and it’s often easier to engage kids in therapy when it feels fun – who doesn’t love banging a drum?
Adults
Music Therapy may focus on easing stress and anxiety or giving expression to shapeless feelings that are hard to put into words.
Seniors
Familiar music can be a powerful cue for memories, emotions and connection. For some older adults, music therapy may support reminiscence, communication, cognitive function and social engagement. Our aged care team sees these moments regularly, and families never forget them.
“But I’m not musical!”
That doesn’t matter in the slightest. Our Music Therapist plays guitar, piano and violin, but you don’t need to read music, own an instrument or be able to hold a tune.
Almost anything can be music. Tap the table. Hum. Play loudly when you’re cross and softly when you’re not.
Can you use NDIS funding for Music Therapy?
Music Therapy may be funded through the NDIS where it is included as a therapy support in your plan and meets the NDIS funding criteria. NDIS-funded Music Therapy must be delivered by an appropriately qualified Registered Music Therapist.
We’re a registered NDIS provider and regularly support NDIS participants seeking to develop their:
- Language and communication skills
- Social interaction and awareness
- Emotional regulation and expression
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Memory or attention.
Ready to give it a go?
Have a look at our Music Therapy service page for session formats and goal areas, then get in touch and we’ll arrange your first appointment.
Until then, why not bring a bit more music into your life at home? Turn on the radio or stream your favourite songs. Trust us, it’ll brighten your day.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
References
- Australian Music Therapy Association. (n.d.). How can I become a registered music therapist? https://www.austmta.org.au/about/about-rmts/be-an-rmt/
- Vuust, P., Heggli, O.A., Friston, K.J. et al. Music in the brain. Nat Rev Neurosci 23, 287–305 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41583-022-00578-5
- Peretz, I., Vuvan, D., Lagrois, M. É., & Armony, J. L. (2015). Neural overlap in processing music and speech. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological sciences, 370(1664), 20140090. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2014.0090
- Kaiser, A. P., & Berntsen, D. (2023). The cognitive characteristics of music-evoked autobiographical memories: Evidence from a systematic review of clinical investigations. Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. Cognitive science, 14(3), e1627. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1627
- Ye X, Li L, He R, Jia Y and Poon W (2022) Rhythmic auditory stimulation promotes gait recovery in Parkinson’s patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front. Neurol. 13:940419. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.940419, https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.940419/full
- Popescu, T., Stahl, B., Wiernik, B. M., Haiduk, F., Zemanek, M., Helm, H., Matzinger, T., Beisteiner, R., & Fitch, W. T. (2022). Melodic Intonation Therapy for aphasia: A multi-level meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and individual participant data. Ann NY Acad Sci., 1516, 76–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14848