Music Therapy

Music Therapy Student Referral Form
Music Therapy Student Referral Form

Established in 2011, our Music Therapy Program at NECOM is unique to Armidale and the wider New England region.

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is a recognised allied health profession that uses planned music activities to help people reach therapeutic goals that go beyond learning music. It can support many different needs, including social, emotional, motor, sensory, and cognitive development.

What kinds of activities are offered in Music Therapy sessions?

  • Making music together — singing, drumming, guitar or playing instruments you enjoy

  • Exploring movement and rhythm to help express yourself

  • Listening to music that resonates with you and explore what it means

  • Creating songs or play with sounds in fun, spontaneous ways

  • Using music-based games and activities that support your goals

Our music therapist uses piano as a flexible, expressive base for shared music-making. It supports improvisation, guides melodies, and adds structure for singing or playing. Rather than performance, the focus is connection — using music to explore emotion, communicate, and build skills, whether clients play along or simply respond.

Program

All participants in our Music Therapy Program receive:

  • An initial meeting with NECOM Music Therapist

  • An initial assessment over a few sessions culminating in a detailed report and an individually designed music therapy plan

  • 9-week blocks of sessions each school term (4 terms per year)

  • Ongoing evaluation to measure progress towards goals and guide future planning

Music therapy is a creative, evidence-based approach that uses music in meaningful ways to help support your goals — whether you’re a child, adult or an NDIS participant. Each session is tailored to you - what you enjoy, what motivates you and what you’re working towards.

This might include singing, playing instruments, moving with rhythm, songwriting or listening together — all guided by your interests and therapeutic needs. You don’t need any musical experience to benefit.

We work with people of all ages and abilities, including NDIS clients, to build wellbeing, communication, confidence and connection in a positive, engaging environment.