Music Therapy

A hospital admission for a young person can often cause significant disruption in his or her life. Young people in hospital may require assistance with adjusting to their experience, treatment, diagnosis and the hospital environment. Music is an effective, non- threatening and accessible medium which can be used to address the specific needs of each patient.

Using a variety of music therapy methods, our team of trained Registered Music Therapists creatively address the psychological, developmental, physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of patients and their families. Music therapists receive referrals for patients who may need support with:

  • Stress and anxiety management
  • Pain management
  • Medical procedures
  • Relaxation
  • Parent /child attachment
  • Developmental stimulation
  • Social withdrawal or isolation
  • Adjusting to a chronic illness or treatment
  • Motivation for physical movement

Music Therapy Methods

Within a music therapy session, the Registered Music Therapist may draw on a variety of methods and techniques to meet the patient’s individual needs and preferences. These may include the use of:

  • Singing familiar songs
  • Song writing
  • Recording your own songs
  • Music assisted counselling
  • Composition on computer based music software programs
  • Playing instruments and improvisation
  • Music relaxation and Guided Imagery
  • Listening to live or recorded music
  • Music Library: borrowing instruments or recorded music
  • Therapeutic music lessons

Music Therapy Program at Monash Children’s

At Monash Children’s the Music Therapy Department provides music therapy services within the following areas:
  • Monash Newborns
  • General Paediatrics
  • Adolescent Program
  • Victorian Paediatric Rehabilitation Service
  • Children’s Cancer Centre
Music therapists collaborate with the treatment team in setting goals for patients, devising interventions to achieve those goals, and evaluating patient outcomes. Music therapy is different from musical entertainment or music education as sessions focus on meeting therapeutic aims.

The music therapy department also provides regular education and in-servicing to staff and is available for consultation regarding the appropriate use of music for patients and families.

Research

The discipline of music therapy is based on a strong foundation of research and evidence-based practice. The music therapy program at Monash Children’s is committed to the ongoing evaluation of the clinical work that is provided to patients and their families and has strong links with the National Music Therapy Research Unit (NAMTRU) at the University of Melbourne.

Completed Research Projects

Calabro, J (2006). Music therapy for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Unpublished Master’s thesis, University of Melbourne.
Calabro, J, Wolfe, R, & Shoemark, H (2003). The effects of recorded sedative music on the physiology and behaviour of premature infants with a respiratory disorder, Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 14, 3-19.

Current Research Projects

Life threatening cancer across the lifespan: examining the relevance of music to children (0-14 years) (2009- present)
A multi-site research collaboration with Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Children’s.

Registered Music Therapists

Registered Music Therapists are tertiary trained professionals and as members of the Australian Music Therapy Association are bound by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the AMTA Inc. For more information on training in Music Therapy please visit the University of Melbourne website. www.unimelb.edu.au

Student Program

The department offers student placements throughout the year  for final year music therapy students who are undertaking an accredited course of training with the Australian Music Therapy Association.

Supporters

The music therapy department would like to acknowledge the generous and ongoing support of the KOALA Foundation www.koalafoundation.org.au.

Clinicians

Manager/Senior Clinician – Monash Newborn
Helen Efron: helen.efron@southernhealth.org.au

Senior Clinician – VPRS and Children’s Cancer Centre
Annette Baron: Annette.baron@southernhealth.org.au

Registered Music Therapist – Adolescent Program
Elizabeth La Combe: Elizabeth.lacombe@southernhealth.org.au

Registered Music Therapist – General Paediatrics
Liz McLean: Elizabeth.mclean@southernhealth.org.au

Contact Information

If you wish to make a referral or contact one of the Registered Music Therapists please call or email:
Telephone: (03) 9594 4300
Email: helen.efron@southernhealth.org.au

Other Useful Links

Australian Music Therapy Association - www.austmta.org.au
Voices – A World Forum for Music Therapy - www.voices.no
National Music Therapy Research Unit - http://www.music.unimelb.edu.au/research/NAMTRU.html