What is music therapy?

The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as a research-based practice and profession in which music is used to actively support people as they strive to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing.

In this way, music therapy differs significantly from music education and entertainment. 

Music therapy can take many different forms, spanning cognitive, motor, emotional, communicative, social, sensory, and educational domains.  These are accessed through both active and receptive music experiences. 

Music therapy is used in a range of settings and specific healthcare applications, with some music therapists choosing to specialise in a key area. Examples include:

• Disability services (e.g. individual therapy, day centres, inclusive groups, clinical supports)
• Early childhood (e.g. developmental delay, early autism support) 
• Neurological treatment (e.g. working with brain injuries)
• Aged care (e.g. working with people with dementia)
• Hospitals and cancer centres (e.g. working with children and adults undergoing traumatic medical procedures)
• Mental health clinics
• Palliative care/end-of-life settings
• Schools (e.g. programs for students with disabilities or learning difficulties)
• Community settings (e.g. groups delivered in any of the above settings)

The approach and techniques used by music therapists vary depending on the setting they are working in, and the purpose and objectives of their clients. 

The Hills Music Therapy works primarily in the disability sector with adults, adolescents, and children with a wide range of needs. 

Music therapy is used to provide support in areas such as: 

• Developmental delays
• Neurodevelopmental factors (including in relation to autism)
• Intellectual disabilities 
• Degenerative conditions 
• Neurological disorders (e.g. brain injury, dementia)
• Life-limiting illnesses (e.g. cancer)

Types of support needs that music therapists work with include: 

• Communication impairments, including difficulties in vocalising and verbalising 
• Cognitive impairments, including issues with attention, memory, expression, self-regulation or behaviour
• Physical impairments such as those involving motor skills, coordination, endurance and strength
• Conditions that limit access to social interaction, participation in community activities and/or quality of life 
• Conditions requiring ongoing pain management (e.g. chronic pain conditions, cancer treatment) 

Registered Music Therapists (RMTs) are university trained, typically holding a Master of Music Therapy qualification. They draw on an extensive body of research and are bound by a code of ethics that informs their practice.  

People can work as music therapists without being registered; however, they cannot call themself RMTs as they are not verified for the same level of training or standard of practice.

The form of a session depends on the therapeutic needs of the client and their abilities.  In our work at The Hills Music Therapy, a session will typically involve:

• A variety of music-based activities, determined according to the individual needs of the client. These may be active (involving physical movement, involvement and expression) or receptive (focused on listening, responding).
• Use of a range of instruments as appropriate to the client's interests and abilities, including small percussion, tuned percussion, keys, drums, guitars, electronic instruments and voice. 
• The music therapist plays guitar and sings, utilising this as a base for the client's active or receptive participation. 
• Learning transferrable concepts and skills within a musical framework, where this is aligned with therapeutic objectives. This can range from simple musical dynamics (e.g. soft/loud, fast/slow) to more complex instrumental or composition skills. It can also include social concepts such as turn-taking, collaboration and interactive expression. 
• Opportunities for the client to exercise choice-making around the type of music worked with, preferred songs or artists, instruments to be played and the types of activities undertaken. Tools such as visual choice cards can be used to facilitate this. 
• As appropriate, opportunities for family members, carers or support staff to participate in ways that support therapeutic objectives.