What is music therapy?
Music therapy is the informed and intentional use of music to support people to address goals that improve their health, functioning and well-being.
Music therapy is an evidence-based practice that is applied by a university-trained professional who is registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association Inc. and abides by its own specific code of ethics.
Registered music therapists provide a range of music based methods and techniques that target the specific needs of the individual client through a therapeutic relationship. www.austmta.org.au
What is Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT)?
Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory and motor dysfunctions due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system.
NMT is made up of standardized treatment techniques, which are adaptable to the client’s needs. Treatment techniques are based on scientific research and are directed towards functional therapeutic goals (Thaut, 1999).
About Family Centred Care
As Chorus Music Therapy Clinic provides early childhood services, we acknowledge that young children are actively engaged and learn best when their learning is part of their daily routine. This emphasizes the need to embed learning strategies into natural environments such as the home, childcare and preschool (Thompson, 2012). Family centred principles value collaboration between the parent and therapist, and encourage active participation of the parent (Thompson, 2012). Providing music therapy within a family-centred framework aims to support both the skill development of the child and the quality of the parent–child relationship (Oldfield et al. 2012). The music therapist fosters the existing capabilities of parents and caregivers and supports them to build their capacity to use music in the home and other familiar environments to support their child’s development. Therapeutic approaches are embedded into the child’s daily routines so that they can be facilitated in part by the family (Thompson, 2012).