Music Therapy
Music Therapy - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
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| What is music therapy? | ||||||
| How can music therapy be useful? | ||||||
| How to participate in music therapy? | ||||||
| What happens in a music therapy session? | ||||||
| When and where is music therapy held? | ||||||
| Who are the music therapists at Peter Mac? | ||||||
| Who funds the music therapy service at Peter Mac? >> | ||||||
| What is music therapy? | ||||||
| Music therapy is the professionally informed and creative use of music in a therapeutic relationship to assist people to attain and maintain health and well-being. A variety of musical methods can be explored with the qualified music therapist including: • live or recorded music listening and singing • music relaxation and guided imagery techniques • song writing and recording your own songs • work with computer-based music software • music improvisation • borrowing instruments, therapeutic music lessons and music appreciation People of all ages can be involved. You do not need a musical background. Patients’ children, and children undergoing treatment can participate, and families can share sessions together. Music therapy is the tailored use of music to focus on therapeutic aims. This distinguishes it from musical entertainment or music education, which incorporates pre-determined music or educational goals. Music therapists, however, are also involved in researching and consulting about music and sound in our environments, including how music in hospitals affect patients, visitors and staff. | ||||||
| How can music therapy be useful? | ||||||
| Music is an important part of many people's lives and music therapy offers developmentally appropriate methods to assist patients and their families to ‘get through’ their cancer experiences. It offers opportunities for people to share their musical backgrounds, and can help to improve mood, divert from pain, increase energy, promote relaxation, or assist with physical rehabilitation. Music therapy can be focused on the music, but it may also be a place where arising concerns and feelings maybe shared and worked through. As such, music therapy can be used as a pathway for self discovery, or as a pleasurable ‘time out’. | ||||||
| How to participate in music therapy? | ||||||
| Patients and families can ask to meet with Peter Mac’s Registered Music Therapists, or may be referred by other staff. Music therapists will also sometimes introduce themselves and offer services in the wards. | ||||||
| What happens in a music therapy session? | ||||||
| The music therapists at Peter Mac offers live music and other creative techniques, either at your bedside or in a private room. They spend time with patients and their families to learn about the individual’s musical interests, goals for music therapy sessions, and explore a range of music therapy methods. Further Information about music therapy is found at: www.amta.org. | ||||||
| When and where is music therapy held? | ||||||
| Music therapy is available Mondays Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at Peter Mac, East Melbourne, 8.30am-5pm. Music Therapy is located within the Social Work Department on level 4 and can be contacted on 03 9656 1031. | ||||||
| Who are the music therapists at Peter Mac? | ||||||
| Pip Barry, MMus RMT, is currently Peter Mac's music therapist. Click here to email Pip | ||||||
| Clare O’Callaghan, PhD RMT, will return in February 2010, after completing a NHMRC Post Doctoral Fellowship in Palliative Care. Click here to email Clare | ||||||
| The music therapists’ have written and published many articles about music therapy. If you would like to read more about these please click on the link below. | ||||||
| Link to publications | ||||||
| Who funds the music therapy service at Peter Mac? | ||||||
| The Redkite registered music therapist works as a part of the Paediatric and onTrac@PeterMac services. This two day position is funded by Redkite, a national Australian charity that supports young people to the age of 21 and their families through cancer. Funding music therapy services is an essential part of Redkite's support. There is no charge to families for the music therapy service. |
