Musical experiences are creatively planned by a registered Music Therapist to help you manage the physical and emotional aspects of your illness whilst enhancing your quality of life.
Music therapy is a research-based profession practised both nationally and internationally. You don’t need to be musical to benefit from or participate in music therapy.
How music therapy can help
Music therapy may help to reduce experiences of pain, breathlessness, sleeplessness or anxiety. Participating in music therapy may provide you with opportunities to reflect on your life and give you new ways to share positive experiences with family and friends. We can assist you to create musical gifts for your loved ones and work alongside other allied health and medical staff to help you with communication and movement. Music may also provide you with some pleasurable "time out" while in hospital.
What happens in a music therapy session?
Music therapists use a variety of methods tailored to the individual. In music therapy you may choose to:
- listen to live music (played by the music therapist)
- listen to recorded music
- make music by playing or learning instruments/singing
- write songs or write new words for pre-composed songs
- experience music-assisted relaxation
- use song lyrics and song listening as a way to express, release and work through your thoughts and feelings
- use song lyrics and song listening as a way to reflect on your life
- loan CDs or instruments
- receive resources that will help you to rest and manage stress.
Did you know?
Research has shown that listening to music and/or making music may:
- increase the body’s immune response
- increase the body’s production of natural pain killers, sometimes reducing the need for medication
- support faster recovery from medical procedures
- elevate mood and energy levels
- help to regulate heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure
Service times
Paediatric and adolescent and young adult music therapy service is available from Monday to Thursday.
The adult music therapy service is available each Wednesday and Friday.
Referral information
If you would like to access Peter Mac’s music therapy service, your specialist or a member of your treating team can organise a referral.
Music therapy at Peter Mac is provided at no cost.
Contact
Music Therapy
Phone: 03 8559 5220 (Select option 4)
Fax: 03 8559 5239
Email: [email protected]
