Your first Music Therapy session is about getting to know you, your strengths, needs and goals. You don’t need any musical experience. A Registered Music Therapist may use instruments, singing, rhythm, movement, songwriting or listening activities, depending on what works for you. Each session is individualised and designed to work towards meaningful therapeutic goals such as communication, emotional regulation, confidence and participation.
Starting a new therapy can come with lots of questions.
What will happen during the session? Do I need to know how to play an instrument? Will I have to sing? What if I don’t feel comfortable joining in straight away?
If you or someone you care for is considering Music Therapy, knowing what to expect can make that first appointment feel a little more familiar.
The most important thing to know is that Music Therapy isn’t a music lesson or a performance. You don’t need any musical experience, and there’s no expectation that you’ll be able to sing, play an instrument or even know what kind of music you like.
Music Therapy is a therapeutic support. Your Registered Music Therapist gets to know you, your strengths, your support needs and the goals you’d like to work towards, then uses music-based experiences purposefully to support those goals.
Your first Music Therapy session is usually about getting to know you.
Rather than jumping straight into a set program, your Registered Music Therapist will begin to understand your interests, strengths, communication style, support needs and goals.
Depending on the person, a session might include:
Not everyone will do all of these things.
Music Therapy is individualised, so what happens in your session will depend on you.
The first session gives your Registered Music Therapist an opportunity to learn more about you.
This may include understanding:
For children or participants who have family members or carers involved in their support, the therapist may also speak with them to better understand the participant’s everyday needs.
There doesn’t need to be a perfect first session.
Some people engage with the music immediately. Others may prefer to observe, explore the room or become familiar with the therapist before participating.
A person-centred approach allows the session to move at a pace that works for the participant.
No.
You don’t need any musical experience to participate in Music Therapy.
Music Therapy is different from learning an instrument because the aim isn’t to develop musical ability.
The activity is chosen because it may help the participant work towards a therapeutic goal.
For example, taking turns playing a drum may create an opportunity to practise interaction and turn-taking.
A songwriting activity might provide another way to explore feelings or communicate ideas.
A rhythm activity might encourage attention, movement or participation.
The important part isn’t how well the music is played. It’s what the experience is helping the participant practise or achieve.
No.
Singing may be part of some Music Therapy sessions, but it doesn’t have to be.
A Registered Music Therapist has many different ways of using music therapeutically, and sessions can be adapted around the participant’s preferences, abilities and comfort.
If singing isn’t something you enjoy, your therapist can explore other activities.
There is no performance and no judgement about musical ability.
Every Music Therapy session can look different.
Participants may explore drums, percussion instruments or other accessible instruments.
Playing together can provide opportunities to work on interaction, attention, communication, coordination and participation depending on the person’s individual goals.
Singing may be used to encourage communication, expression, engagement or interaction.
Songs can also provide structure and predictability for some participants.
Participants may create lyrics or songs about experiences, emotions or things that are important to them.
The focus isn’t on producing a perfect song. The process itself may provide a meaningful way to communicate and express ideas.
Rhythm can be incorporated into activities involving movement, coordination, attention or shared interaction.
Activities are adapted to suit the participant’s abilities and goals.
Sometimes listening is an important part of the session.
Music may be used as part of activities supporting engagement, emotional awareness, relaxation or discussion.
Improvisation simply means creating music in the moment.
There aren’t necessarily any right or wrong notes.
The therapist and participant may respond musically to one another, creating opportunities for interaction, choice, expression and shared attention.
Your therapist isn’t judging your musical ability.
They are learning about how you engage and respond.
Depending on your goals, they may observe things such as:
These observations can help the therapist determine which approaches may be most useful in future sessions.
Your goals are an important part of therapy.
The NDIS describes therapy supports as supports that can help participants improve or maintain skills and independence with everyday activities.
This can include areas such as communication, interpersonal interactions, functioning and community participation.
Your Music Therapy sessions should therefore have a clear therapeutic purpose that relates to your individual needs.
For example, someone may have a goal around:
Communication
Music-based interaction could provide opportunities to practise turn-taking, choice-making or other communication skills.
Emotional regulation
Activities may provide structured opportunities to recognise, express or practise strategies around emotions.
Social interaction
Shared music-making may provide opportunities to practise engagement, interaction and participation.
Confidence and participation
Sessions may provide a supportive environment for practising new skills and participating in activities.
The specific approach will depend on the participant and the professional assessment of the Registered Music Therapist.
The first session is only the beginning.
Your therapist will use what they learn about you to help shape future sessions and determine how Music Therapy may support your goals.
Where appropriate, this may involve establishing therapy goals, selecting suitable approaches and monitoring progress over time.
The NDIS states that therapy supports should have goals and outcomes and that participants need evidence from an allied health professional showing that the therapy support is appropriate for them.
This means Music Therapy isn’t simply about attending sessions. There should be a reason behind the support and an understanding of the outcomes being worked towards.
Not necessarily.
Some consistency can be useful, particularly when routines help a participant feel comfortable and know what to expect.
But activities may also change as:
The therapist can adapt sessions while keeping the participant’s broader therapeutic goals in mind.
Depending on the participant’s needs and preferences, parents, carers or other important people may sometimes be involved.
They can provide valuable information about what is happening outside therapy, including changes in communication, participation or everyday routines.
For some participants, involving the people who support them can also help connect strategies used during therapy with everyday life.
Exactly how family or carers are involved should be discussed with the therapist and based on the participant’s circumstances and preferences.
It can, provided each support has a clear purpose and meets the participant’s individual needs.
A participant might work with several professionals, such as a Psychologist, Behaviour Support Practitioner, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist or Registered Music Therapist.
The important thing is that each professional understands their role and that supports aren’t simply duplicating the same intervention.
Where appropriate and with the participant’s consent, collaboration between professionals can help everyone understand the participant’s goals and the role each support plays.
At Support Agency, this is particularly relevant because our team includes Music Therapy, Psychology and Behaviour Support. Where a participant receives more than one of these services, our focus remains on the participant’s individual goals and ensuring each professional brings their own relevant expertise.
Music Therapy should be delivered by an appropriately qualified professional.
Current NDIS guidance states that therapy supports must be provided by qualified allied health professionals who are either registered with AHPRA or accredited by the relevant peak body for self-regulated professions.
For Music Therapy, the recognised professional association is the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
At Support Agency, Music Therapy is delivered by Bec, a Registered Music Therapist and Behaviour Support Practitioner with more than 25 years of experience working within the disability sector.
Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Bachelor of Music, Graduate Diploma of Music Therapy and Diploma of Management, and she is registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association.
That’s okay.
People engage with therapy differently.
Some participants may immediately explore instruments or respond to music. Others might need time to become comfortable with a new therapist, environment or activity.
The first appointment isn’t a test.
A Registered Music Therapist can adapt their approach based on the participant’s communication style, preferences, needs and responses.
Building a positive therapeutic relationship can take time, and that relationship is an important part of therapy.
You don’t need to decide that based on one session or because someone enjoys music.
Music Therapy should have a therapeutic purpose.
A Registered Music Therapist can discuss your needs and goals and consider whether Music Therapy may be an appropriate way to work towards them.
You may also want to think about:
These conversations can help determine whether Music Therapy is a good fit.
Our approach to Music Therapy is centred around the person, not the instrument.
We take the time to understand what matters to each participant and how Music Therapy can be used purposefully to support their individual goals.
Support Agency provides Music Therapy to participants across Greater Western Sydney and surrounding areas, with our team also servicing the Nepean, Hawkesbury, Hills District and Wollongong regions where available.
If you’re unsure whether your location is covered, our team can confirm current service availability when you enquire.
Session length can vary depending on the participant’s needs, goals and agreed service arrangements. Your Registered Music Therapist can discuss the appropriate session structure with you before therapy begins.
Usually, no. Your therapist will discuss what is available and whether you need to bring anything before your appointment.
Yes. Music Therapy isn’t only for children. Whether it is appropriate depends on the person’s disability-related needs, goals and circumstances.
Spoken language isn’t a requirement for participating in Music Therapy. A Registered Music Therapist can adapt activities to the participant’s communication style and abilities.
No. Music lessons primarily focus on learning musical skills. Music Therapy uses music purposefully to work towards therapeutic and functional outcomes.
Music Therapy is currently listed by the NDIS as a type of therapy support that may be funded when it meets the NDIS funding criteria. Funding depends on the individual participant’s circumstances and plan.
Starting Music Therapy doesn’t require musical experience. It starts with understanding you, your strengths and the goals that matter to you.
If you’re considering Music Therapy for yourself, your child or someone you support, contact Support Agency. Our team can answer your questions, discuss your goals and help you understand whether Music Therapy may be suitable for your individual needs.
Contact us to learn more about Music Therapy at Support Agency.