Sydney Music Therapy
Sydney Music Therapy is a private music therapy practice, serving individuals of all ages and abilities. Sydney Music Therapy is based in the City of Sydney (CBD, Eastern Suburbs and Inner West) and offers both individual music therapy sessions and group music therapy sessions.
Our Goals
The aim of Sydney Music Therapy is to help in the overall development and progress of children, adolescents and adults through music therapy by:
Creating a positive and engaging response to the music
Creating a fun and socially interactive environment
Building social skills
Building self-esteem and a positive personal identity
Creating a sense of teamwork
Increase peer interactions
Assisting with the development of expression and communication
Improve group behaviours such as sharing, turn-taking, working in a group
Enhance awareness of self and environment
Promote movement through grasping, holding, striking, strumming and reaching
Reanna Price — Music Therapist
Reanna Price has a Masters in Music Therapy, Bachelor of Arts (Music) majoring in Performance and Music Technology, Diploma of Education (Music), Post graduate in Programme Directors, Applied Behaviour Analysis training and has recently became certified in Neurological Music Therapy. Over the past 12 years Reanna has taught in Sydney, China and London Schools. Reanna has also been a professional musician for over 20 years and has gained clinical experience from Westmead Children's Hospital, Special Schools, nursing homes and the Nordoff Robbins Centre. Reanna is currently on the NSW Australian Music Therapy Association committee.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is a professional discipline that utilises planned and controlled music to achieve therapeutic goals and aims. Music therapy is the functional use of musical interaction to enhance and develop socialisation, communication, self-expression, and sensory-motor skills.
Music therapy sessions are “facilitated by the music therapist who draws from a variety of therapeutic processes which reflect their knowledge and experience in areas including psychology, physiology, social/behavioural sciences and human development.” Australian Music Therapy Association website, 2013
Music therapy can provide benefits for children and adolescents including those with intellectual, cognitive, physical, emotional and learning disabilities. Music therapy programs can be used with a range of children including those with developmental disorders and disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperser's Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, and Epilepsy.
Qualification of Music Therapy
To become a Registered Music Therapist (RMT's) in Australia one must complete a post-graduate Masters qualification in Music Therapy. Additionally, complete 640 clinical hours with professional supervision to obtain registration. All RMT's are registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and are bound by the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics of the AMTA.
Who May Seek Music Therapist's Work?
Parents or carers with children, adolescents or adults with disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Dementia, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Blind, Deaf, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple sclerosis, Rett Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Epilepsy.
Hospitals
Schools
Daycare Centres
Respite Facilities
Age Care Facilities
Community Focused Charities
Group Homes
Music Therapy at Sydney Music Therapy
At Sydney Music Therapy we assess each client through an initial assessment* and through information provided to us from family, carer or professional referral (speech therapist, local GP, hospital, physiotherapist). Goals are then set, researched and musical strategies are then worked through to achieve these goals. The process is continuously reviewed and assessed.
Areas that may be focused on are:
Developmental (cognitive, behavioural, physical, sensory stimulation, emotional)
Educational
Early Intervention
Rehabilitation
Loss and trauma
Social
Health and wellness
Stress management
Counseling
Sessions Length
Sessions can vary from 30-60 minutes and run for a course of 10 weeks* depending on the needs of the client. However, it is not unusual for clients to continue the course of Music Therapy for a year or ongoing.
*Highly recommended for best outcomes.
Initial Assessment
During the initial assessment, the Registered Music Therapist will interact with the client through activities such as singing, playing different instruments, improvisation, playing familiar songs and new songs (created in the moment) and listening. The music therapist will assess the client's responses to musical interactions and musical guidance.
Music Therapy Techniques
After the initial assessment the program includes components such as:
Free improvisation
Receptive listening
Active playing
Social play
Drumming
Instrument playing
Instrument exploration
Movement to music
Group and individual activities
Location
To be arranged on request.