Music Therapy

Music Therapy is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well-being. It addresses physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive, communication, and social needs of people within a therapeutic relationship (AMTA, 2010).

Music Therapy is different to music education because it focuses on achieving non-musical goals in a therapeutic setting as opposed to developing musical skills or learning to play musical instruments. All Music Therapy programs at Multicap are facilitated by qualified music therapists who have gained registration with the Australian Music Therapy Association. The therapist uses a variety of techniques including familiar song-singing, improvisation, instrument playing, lyrics/song writing, music listening, composition, movement to music and performance.

Music Therapy Programs

Individual programs: Individual programs cover a range of goals aimed at addressing individual needs of service users. Difficulties addressed include: impulsivity and frustration, limited communication skills, poor modulation of emotions and behaviour, poor adaptive coping skills, and limited body awareness.

Group programs: Group programs are more focused on providing clients with opportunities for socialisation, positive interaction and development of interpersonal skills within a supportive and contained therapeutic space.

External Programs:  While programs are primarily conducted at day services there is also some availability for service users in residential settings to access them. At times, there may also be capacity for external organisations to access music therapy programs on a fee for service basis.  Further information about this can be sourced through Multicap Head Office. 

Multicap's Music Therapy programs are aimed at:

• Increasing social and interpersonal skills
• Improving communication and self expression
• Developing or maintaining motor skills
• Developing body spacial awareness
• Relaxation
• Cognitive & Sensory stimulation
• Encouraging & Developing emotional & creative expression
• Improving attention & self esteem 

Music Therapy Student Placement Program: The Music Therapy service accepts students from the University of Queensland and other accredited universities undertaking clinical placements as part of the course to become a qualified music therapist.

For all enquiries please contact the Music Therapy service at Eight Mile Plains on 3340 9019 or email.