Music Therapists

Music as a tool to achieve life goals

old man playing guitar, high-fiving younger man

Music Therapy is an evidence-based Allied-Health profession in which music is used as a tool to achieve non-musical goals. Using music, Therapists work with Participants to meet their goals which may include increasing their ability to express themselves, relax or acquire new coping skills.

Healing through music

What makes Music Therapy different?

Dive into the transformative world of Music Therapy, where clinical goals are intertwined with rhythm and melody. In the hands of our Registered Music Therapists (RMT), therapeutic strategies come alive through music, with an emphasis on enhancing speech and language function, mental wellbeing as well as balance and coordination.

Inclusive

Music Therapy caters to all backgrounds and ages, providing support to anyone experiencing challenges in communication, physical, emotional, social or cognitive functioning.

Tailored

Our Music Therapists assess and develop a customised therapeutic approach. If Music Therapy isn't the right fit, we guide you to the service that best suits your needs.

Transdisciplinary

At helpz, our approach blends Music Therapy with Speech Therapy and Positive Behaviour Support for a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary intervention. This model fosters independence, inclusion and active participation.

"What I love most about Music Therapy is its universality; its power to evoke meaningful connections and insight with or without the need for words."

Tessa McDermott, music therapist at helpz

Tessa McDermott
Music Therapist at helpz

FAQs

  • How does Music Therapy fit into my NDIS plan?

    Music Therapy is covered in your NDIS plan under 'Capacity Building' supports. It's specifically listed as a therapeutic support, meaning it's designed to enhance your skills and independence in daily life, with a fun and engaging twist.

  • Who can benefit from Music Therapy?

    Anyone who is experiencing challenges with their communication, physical, emotional, social and/or cognitive functioning can benefit from Music Therapy. Music Therapists use their years of clinical training and musical expertise to support clients of all ages and backgrounds.

  • What is Music Therapy about?

    The main goal of Music Therapy is actually non-musical. The focus is on achieving clinical goals such as improving speech and language function, enhancing balance and coordination etc. It is implemented by a trained and Registered Music Therapist (RMT).

  • What does a typical session look like?

    A Music Therapy session can last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. It’s typically held on a weekly or fortnightly basis either as individual or group sessions. Music Therapists utilise evidence-based interventions within each session to target clinical goals tailored to the needs of the Participant.

  • What kind of activities occur during a session?

    Common interventions include:

    • Singing
    • Drumming
    • Movement to music
    • Recording music
    • Instrumental play
    • Music listening
    • Composing songs
    • Lyrical analysis
    • Improvisation
    • Creating art to music

Common goals targeted through music therapy:

  • Communication

    • Develop expressive/receptive communication 
    • Support and practise AAC 
    • Improve articulation, rate of speech and voice projection
    • Develop vocabulary and conversational skills 

  • Physical

    • Develop fine/gross motor skills 
    • Improve bilateral control, balance and coordination 
    • Improve gait, stability and range of motion 
    • Reduce and manage pain perception 
    • Regulate heart rate and blood pressure 

  • Emotional

    • Reduce anxiety and stress 
    • Improve self-esteem, confidence and motivation 
    • Develop emotional regulation including emotional understanding, emotional expression and practising coping skills to deal with difficult emotions 

  • Social

    • Develop understanding of social cues such as body language and facial expressions 
    • Practise social skills including joint-attention, turn-taking, sharing, leading and following instructions 
    • Practise social greetings and conversational skills 

  • Cognitive

    • Develop attention skills (sustained, selective and divided) 
    • Develop executive functioning skills (reasoning, initiating, inhibiting, planning, memory and flexibility) 
    • Practise academic concepts such as counting and colour identification
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