Music Therapy

Music therapy at ONJ is a research-based healthcare service where music is used to actively support your physical, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing. Music has non-verbal, creative, structural and emotional qualities that can be used in different ways to support you. Our registered music therapists will help you identify how music might be most helpful to you to support your health and wellbeing.

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What are the details?

Music therapy is available for both inpatients and outpatients across the ONJ centre. While we do not currently offer group sessions, family members are often encouraged to join in and be part of the therapeutic experience.

Patients and their families can participate in music therapy by listening to and discussing music, writing a song, singing, learning to playing an instrument, or participating in activities such as music relaxation, or imagery and music. 

Music therapy can connect you with others and encourage emotional expression, help you relax and provide relief from symptoms such as pain.

If you would like to receive a visit from a music therapist on the wards, please speak with your nurse who will make a referral on your behalf. If you would like to receive music therapy as an outpatient, please email us at musictherapy.onj@austin.org.au.

Enquiries

Email: musictherapy.onj@austin.org.au or wellness@austin.org.au

For further information about music therapy

 

More about music therapy

  • Music can relieve stress and stimulate positive emotions
  • Research demonstrates music therapy is effective in the treatment of cancer-related symptoms such as pain and anxiety/mood
  • Music is engaging and supports social interaction
  • Music connects people to self and others
  • Music encourages emotional expression
  • Music can be relaxing, restful and enjoyable
  • Music therapy is adaptable to a range of abilities and needs

    Each session is tailored to each person’s needs and interests, and you do not need to have any prior musical experience to participate in or benefit from music therapy.

    In a music therapy session, patients and families may: 

    • Listen to music 
    • Choose and/or sing songs 
    • Learn to sing/play an instrument 
    • Participate in drumming and improvisation 
    • Share positive music experiences with family/friends 
    • Engage in music relaxation 
    • Use music for symptom support 
    • Write and record a song 
    • Participate in reminiscence and/or life review 
    • Create playlists with their therapist to support their goals – for example, a music playlist to support relaxation 

    Music therapy may also be used to:  

    • Support the actively dying. 
    • Provide Music-guided counseling and emotional support. 
    • Provide environmental music therapy in Day Oncology, Radiation Oncology and in the Level 3 Waiting Area – the music therapy team play live music in these spaces to help provide a relaxing and supportive environment for patients and families coming to the hospital. 

    Feedback from patients and families

    Here is what some of our patients and their families have shared about their experience with music therapy at ONJ.

    A gentle and profound way of connecting with my inner landscape and moving through emotions to make room for the next step. The music therapists here are extraordinary professionals who created a supportive environment that enabled me to heal and grow.
    Music therapy has been the best therapy I have had so far in my cancer journey. The process of writing my story down and pouring my heart on paper via a poem and then reconstructing that into a song that I can share with my support group enabled me and my loved ones to cry and relive the journey in a positive way. Such a therapeutic process, and so fun to unlock my creative side in song writing and playing piano and guitar again. I loved it.
    Mum, another patient, my sister and I were singing along with the music therapist and they really engaged us all. I realised that whatever difficulties you are facing, somehow music can be a simple, immediate and gentle release from the moment. Anne, Family Member
    I was very surprised at how much music therapy helped me with mindfulness around pain and anxiety – and through a real sense of achievement.
    During these sessions I can finally feel calm and just breathe.
    You have no idea how much your music has done for us. It was so special to see her start singing. She has Alzheimer's and had not spoken much during this admission – seeing her sing with us was deeply significant, and we will always remember her last days as a music lover. Family member