Music Therapy at Central Coast Music Therapy
Central Coast Music Therapy caters for individuals of all ages and abilities and no previous musical experience is required.
Music therapy sessions are conducted individually or within specific group settings.
Central Coast Music Therapy has had involvement working with people with:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Downs Syndrome
- Global Developmental Delay
- Cerebral Palsy
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cognitive impairment
- Learning difficulties
- Physical and intellectual disabilities
- and others
Sessions conducted by Central Coast Music Therapy will vary depending on age, attention, and abilities. The length of a session may range from 15 minutes to one hour. For example, a music therapy session with a child under 4 lasts for a minimum of 15 minutes. However, if they are maintaining concentration, focus, and interest the session will last 30 minutes. An adolescent exploring emotional regulation through music listening could be involved in a session that lasts for an hour.
We recommend an initial assessment before regular music therapy sessions commence. The assessment ensures funding bodies i.e. NDIS plans are being met and to provide a baseline for the achievement of goals. An initial assessment takes between 30 to 45 minutes to complete. The initial assessment will provide an overview of the clients behavioral, cognitive, physiological and social interactions in a music-based context. An extensive range of instruments is utilized to gauge reactions and sensitivities during the initial assessment. This results in recommendations from a Registered Music Therapist (RMT) such as music therapy goals, session lengths, and individual/group sessions.
For more information on session lengths, costs, or just to discuss if music therapy is the right solution for you, give us a call and we will be happy to organise an initial assessment. Click here to read about Sarah Fisher Dobbin (RMT).
OUR VISION
To improve the quality of life for clients by providing 2500 hours of therapeutic musical interactions each year.
OUR MISSION
To improve functional capacity and overall wellbeing through engaging and innovative musical interactions.
OUR VALUES
Authenticity, Integrity, Communication
Music therapy has the ability to improve the lives of people.
Discover music as 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, selfexpression, and sensory-motor skills.
Sarah Fisher Dobbin
Sarah has been working in music education with students with a range of needs. This includes working in schools that cater for students with behaviour issues and emotional issues, schools for students with moderate to severe intellectual and physical disabilities and in mainstream settings.
Music therapy goals
There are a range of music therapy techniques and interventions that are used during music therapy sessions. There are planned components but there are also activities that can be used in the moment dependent upon reaction, feelings and willingness of the participant(s).