What (on earth) is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is an evidence-based, allied-health practice. We aim to work relationally towards the musical and non-musical goals of participants through music based interventions. Registered Music Therapists (RMT’s) are Master’s level trained practitioners that are recognized by the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
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"What does this actually mean?!", you might ask. It's a very fair question!
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In Music Therapy, we create tangible goals with participants, and work towards them through musical ‘interventions’. This sounds vague, because it is context dependent and has a relational focus. ‘Goals’ and ‘interventions’ are tailored specifically to the complex and changing needs of the people we work with. These ‘goals’ are created together with the participant, then are worked on collaboratively by addressing needs as they emerge in the here and now. ​​
These ‘interventions’, which are probably better described as ‘activities’, are directed by the participant. They could be things like:
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Exploring new instruments (including the voice and software-based instruments)
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Exploring writing songs
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Improvising or building on skills with familiar or new instruments
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Building music technology skills (through beat making or audio engineering i.e. learning to record music)
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Listening to music
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Discussing music
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Building or repairing musical instruments
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Again – many more things – let’s stay curious!
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Music Therapy can be participated in an individual basis or group basis. Funding for Music Therapy is offered through NDIS Capacity Building, Improved Daily Living (15_615_0128_1_3). Additionally, I work on a sliding scale for those not able to access NDIS funding. Spin over to the 'services' section of the website to find out more, or drop me a line at info@oymt.com.au
What is Oliver Young Music Therapy (OYMT)?
Oliver Young Music Therapy (OYMT) is a Music Therapy business consisting of 1 RMT (Oli) and my cat (Maisy Mouse). I graduated from Western Sydney University with a Masters of Creative Music Therapy in 2023 and have been an RMT since December 2023 (AMTA #2156). I have a passion for working in the community mental health space and work with groups and individuals on Tuesdays to Fridays. The rest of the time I’m cooking, playing music, resting, trying to get Maisy Mouse to pay attention to me (to varying degrees of success), and studying a Graduate Diploma of Counselling.
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The lands that I practice on are implicitly owned by First Nation Peoples. So-Called 'Australia' was, is, and always will be the Land of First Nations Peoples, Aboriginal Peoples, and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and my practice will continue to pay ownership to this. Sovereignty was never ceded, and the trauma of such continues. I will try to hold myself and others accountable for their actions on-going to the best of my regard.
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