Music Therapy

What is music therapy?

Music therapy is the systematic use of music to achieve therapeutic change for people of any age who may have a range of difficulties relating to coping, development, learning, cognition or pain. A well-established healthcare profession, music therapy may address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of people regardless of musical skill or background. The music therapy process is designed to facilitate and promote communication, relationships, learning, mobilisation and expression.

The music therapist is a trained and qualified specialist who understands the ways in which music has beneficial effects and is specialized in the use of techniques to achieve certain goals. In Australia, the recognised title of a qualified music therapist is Registered Music Therapist (R.M.T.). Only members who have successfully completed a course holding current accreditation with the Australian Music Therapy Association (A.M.T.A.), or a course approved by the National Registration Committee may use these letters.
 

What does a music therapist do?

Music therapists:

Assess individuals and groups to establish their needs, in consultation with members of the team working with an individual or group
Plan and implement appropriate musical activities to address these needs
Document and evaluate programs to assess their effectiveness

There are several techniques music therapists employ to address the needs of individuals or groups they work with. These include:

Improvisation
Music composition/Songwriting
Music and movement/dance
Music listening
Music facilitated discussion
Recreating music
Music and relaxation techniques
Song singing
Each of these methods requires skills and training in order to use them effectively to achieve therapeutic outcomes

Where do music therapists work?

Currently, music therapists are employed in a variety of healthcare settings and in private practices throughout Australia. Below are some settings that employ music therapists in Australia:

Special education facilities
Aged care facilities
Acquired brain injury units
Community early intervention settings
Royal Children's Hospital
Organisations that address the needs of adults with intellectual impairments
Private practices that work with children and adults with various neurological and physical impairments
Rehabilitation facilities
Palliative care
Adolescent and adult psychiatric facilities
Community drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs
About the Music Therapy Program at The University of Queensland

The Music therapy program at The University of Queensland was established in 1992. It is one of four training programs offered nationally that is accredited with the Australian Music Therapy Association. Graduates are eligible to register as a practicing music therapist (R.M.T.) with the national body. The music therapy program holds established links with other allied health departments within the University. It is committed to offering opportunities for on-going research and the development of the music therapy profession in Queensland. The music therapy program at UQ is also involved in collaborative projects on a national and international level including members from both the music therapy profession and related allied health fields.

Qualifications in music therapy at the University of Queensland can be obtained by completing the postgraduate coursework program

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