What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is research-based, planned use of music interventions and musical activities to facilitate client-centred therapeutic goals. Different from music lessons, Music therapy is an allied health profession using music to actively support people as they aim to improve their health, functioning and well-being. People across the age span can access music therapy to manage their physical/mental health, emotional/behavioural patterns, social skills and enhance their quality of life.
There is no musical pre-requisite to engage and benefit from music therapy. Qualified music therapists will assess, plan and provide musical experiences in each session that addresses therapeutic needs and goals established at the assessment for their clients.
Music therapists are committed to support and empower people of any age, gender, ability or background.
What is a Registered Music Therapist?
The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is the peak industry body in Australia for Registered Music Therapists (RMT). RMTs are music therapists with eligibility to register with the AMTA by completing a certified university course in music therapy and maintain their skills through ongoing professional development as approved by the AMTA.
Why use a Registered Music Therapist?
Registered Music Therapists are competent musicians, who actively use research and evidence-based understanding of the effects that musical experiences can have on behaviours, feelings, thoughts and actions. Music therapists facilitate engaging and interactive musical experiences to achieve clinical goals. These goals may include improved communication, cognition, physical function, mood, wellbeing, and/or spiritual goals.
Please note that only registered music therapist is eligible for funding for music therapy from NDIS. Click here to read more on Music Therapy and NDIS.
How does Music Therapy help my child?
Communication
Research shows that music therapy improves communication and social skills through interactions such as waiting, turn taking, verbal and non-verbal communications and speech.
Mental Health
Research shows that music therapy can reduce anxiety and/or stress, it help regulate moods, energy levels, increase motivation, manage anger, frustration and manage challenging behaviours.
Physical Functions
Research shows that music therapy can improve gross motor function and control fine motor skills. Improve balance, increase physical independence, regulate heart and breathing rate, blood pressure, improve respiratory, muscle strength control and improve sleep.
Cognitive Functions
Research shows that music therapy can increase core executive functions: self-awareness, inhibition, non-verbal and verbal, working memory, emotional self-regulation, self-motivation, planning, problem solving and increase memory and attention.
Music Therapy and NDIS
NDIS recognises music therapy as part of the professional Allied Health therapy, under the Therapeutic Supports and Early Intervention Supports registration groups. NDIS requires that music therapy sessions must be conducted by a registered music therapist (RMT) with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA):
1. Active “Registered Music Therapist” with the Australian Music Therapy Association.
2. Experience in the profession and evidence of involvement in clinical supervision and professional development as required by the appropriate professional body.
Music Therapy can be claimed through:
• NDIS Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living
• NDIS Capacity Building – Supports for Early Childhood Interventions
Music Therapy is part of the NDIS support category “Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living Skills”.
Music Therapy and NDIS
NDIS recognises music therapy as part of the professional Allied Health therapy, under the Therapeutic Supports and Early Intervention Supports registration groups. NDIS requires that music therapy sessions must be conducted by a registered music therapist (RMT) with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA):
1. Active “Registered Music Therapist” with the Australian Music Therapy Association.
2. Experience in the profession and evidence of involvement in clinical supervision and professional development as required by the appropriate professional body.
Music Therapy can be claimed through:
• NDIS Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living
• NDIS Capacity Building – Supports for Early Childhood Interventions
Music Therapy is part of the NDIS support category “Capacity Building – Improved Daily Living Skills”.
What conditions does music therapy support?
- Anxiety
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Cancer
- Dementia
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Neurodegenerative conditions
- Personality disorders
- Physical disabilities
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Schizophrenia
- Spinal cord injury
- Stroke
What is Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)?
Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is a set of standardised, research-based approaches for treating the brain that use specific musical aspects such as rhythm, melody, dynamics, tempo, etc.
A Neurologic Music Therapist is a professional who specialises in the neuroscience of music perception, music production/creation, and cognition. The Neurologic Music Therapist employs standardised procedures to address non-musical objectives such as speech, physical movement, cognition, and other functional abilities. Music is emphasised as therapy, with specific parts of music used into therapeutic activities as research suggests, in order to optimise function and/or reroute neuropathways to attain functionality.
What is the difference between Neurologic Music Therapy and regular music therapy?
While general music therapy uses music to treat a variety of patient needs (emotional, physical, mental, etc.), neurologic music therapy is an evidence-based treatment system that trains not only NMTs but also other allied professionals such as PTs, OTs, SLPs, neuropsychologists, and so on. NMT Affiliates are trained in the neuroscience of music, including how individual elements cause changes in the brain and brain connections (neuropathways) using research-based methodologies. These strategies are interwoven in therapeutic music exercises and are used consistently based on the client’s therapeutic goals.
Neurologic Music Therapists are trained professionals who must have undergone additional training above and beyond regular music therapy certification to get their NMT status.
