Music Therapy
Discover how evidence-based music therapy can support health, functioning and wellbeing for children, teens and adults in Adelaide.
Not sure whether music therapy is the right support? Tell us what you’re looking for and our team will help guide the next step.
Registered Music Therapist - Natalie Oliveri
What is music therapy?
Music Therapy is delivered by Registered Music Therapists (RMTs) who must be registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
RMTs undergo rigorous university training, often earning a Master’s degree, where they learn how music impacts behaviour, memory, and brain function. With advanced musical skills and specialised training in therapy techniques, RMTs also excel in supporting people with their mental health. They prioritise evidence-based approaches, ensuring effective support for individuals.
Music therapy is facilitated by a registered music therapist.
Music therapy supports:
Speech improvement and communication skills
Motor planning and motor skills including physical rehabilitation
Emotional regulation, mental health and mood management
Overall wellbeing and improved quality of life
Social skills, confidence and identity building
Auditory processing and sensory integration
Cognitive skills, such as learning, organising, focus and attention
At Creative Therapy Adelaide, we have the largest team of registered music therapists in South Australia.
You can access individual music therapy sessions at our Torrensville Clinic, online or at your home or school.
You don’t need any instruments or musical skills. Visit our clinic, connect with us online, or we can provide music therapy at your home, school, childcare centre, or other sites in Adelaide and the surrounding areas.
Torrensville clinic
Attend music therapy appointments at our clinic at 247 Henley Beach Road, Torrensville.
Home and community visits
Sessions may be available at home, school or in another community setting when suitable.
Telehealth
Online music therapy may be available depending on the person’s goals, needs and suitability.
In a music therapy session you might:
Listening and Wellbeing
- Engage in music listening
- Talk about meaningful music and lyrics
- Learn ways to use music to support your mood
- Curate personalised music playlists
Singing and Songwriting
- Vocalise and sing
- Write and record your own songs
Playing and Creating
- Participate in playing instruments
- Improvise with the therapist
- Enjoy interactive musical activities
- Learn to play an instrument to develop skills
Movement and Daily Life
- Engage with music and movement
- Discover ways to integrate music into your daily routine
6 SKILL AREAS SUPPORTED BY MUSIC THERAPY
Registered music therapists can help with the following:
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Skill development in using music to manage mood, promote relaxation, address stress and anxiety, process emotions, express oneself, and to foster social connections.
Social Skills
Tailored musical activities can help with social skills such as interactions, self-confidence, resilience, turn-taking, waiting, and joint attention.
Movement and Regulation
Leveraging physiological responses to music, music therapy can aid in improving fine and gross motor skills development and retention, coordination, endurance, and movement rehabilitation, including gait training.
Social Skills
Tailored musical activities can help with social skills such as interactions, self-confidence, resilience, turn-taking, waiting, and joint attention.
Regulation
Through structured auditory stimuli and tailored activities, music therapists can support the regulation of sensory perception and integration, helping people to develop coping strategies for managing sensory sensitivities and processing challenges.
Communication and Speech
Music therapy encourages verbal and nonverbal communication, cultivates preverbal skills, and provides avenues for self-expression, and can enhance speech and communication abilities.
How do I get started?
Fill in our contact form below to get started.
Start an enquiry
Share your details and what you are looking for.
We review your request
Our team reviews the information and considers the right starting point.
Plan the right starting point
We discuss the program format, funding and delivery option that suit your needs.
Ready to get started straight away? Complete our Intake Form instead.
Questions about music therapy
It is completely normal to have questions before getting started. Here are some of the things people often ask us about music therapy.
What is music therapy and how is it different from music lessons?
Music therapy uses music purposefully to support a person’s health, functioning and wellbeing. Unlike a music lesson, the focus is not on musical achievement. A Registered Music Therapist selects activities based on the person’s therapeutic goals.
Do I need to be musical or know how to play an instrument?
No. You do not need any musical experience, instruments or particular musical skills to participate in music therapy. Your therapist will adapt the activities to suit your abilities, interests and goals.
Is music therapy only for children?
No. Music therapy can support children, teenagers and adults. The therapy approach and activities are adapted to suit each person’s age, strengths, support needs and goals.
What can music therapy support?
Music therapy may support areas such as communication and speech, emotional regulation, mental health and wellbeing, movement and coordination, social skills, confidence, sensory processing, memory, focus and cognition. The areas addressed will depend on each person’s individual needs and goals.
What happens during a music therapy session?
A session may include listening to music, singing, playing instruments, songwriting, improvisation, movement, creating playlists or exploring ways to use music in everyday life. Activities are selected purposefully by the therapist to support the person’s therapy goals.
How long is a music therapy session?
Ongoing music therapy sessions are usually 45 minutes long. The first session is usually 60 minutes so there is additional time to learn about the person, their support needs and their goals.
What happens before I begin a block of sessions?
Before beginning a block of music therapy sessions, we will usually complete an assessment or evaluation. This is the first step in accessing services and helps the therapist understand the person’s strengths, needs and goals before planning ongoing support.
How are therapy goals developed and reviewed?
Your Registered Music Therapist will work with you and your support network to develop meaningful and measurable therapy goals. These goals help guide the therapy plan and allow progress and the effectiveness of the intervention to be reviewed.
Where can music therapy sessions take place?
Music therapy may be available at our Torrensville clinic, at home, at school, in another suitable community setting or online through telehealth. Availability will depend on the person’s needs, location and the suitability of each option.
How much does music therapy cost and what funding can I use?
Please visit our Fees page for current pricing information. We can work with a variety of funding arrangements, including NDIS, Medicare, private payment, not-for-profit organisations, government organisations and other organisations.
Do I need a referral and how do I get started?
No, you do not need a referral to contact us or begin the enquiry process. You can simply contact our team and we will help guide you through the next steps.
Can a parent, family member or support person participate?
Yes. A parent, family member or support person can participate where appropriate. We aim to build the capacity of the person’s support network so useful strategies and skills can continue outside therapy sessions.
Ready to explore further?
Tell us a little about support you're seeking.
Our team will review your enquiry and contact you to discuss suitable options and what the next step could look like.
You do not need to know exactly which therapist, location or funding pathway is right before contacting us.
Sending an enquiry does not commit you to access services.
Please avoid including sensitive health information in this initial message.
You can also contact our administration team during business hours.