music therapy
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About Music Therapy
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is the clinical use of music conducted by a qualified Music Therapist to achieve a person’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social goals and inherently improve quality of life. Elements of music including meter, rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, dynamics and pitch can activate both hemispheres of the brain; in this way, Music Therapy has the ability to stimulate neural plasticity.
For more information on Music Therapy, please visit https://www.austmta.org.au/
What is Neurologic Music Therapy?
Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) is a research-guided clinical model that is driven by advances in neuroscience and the understanding of the perception, production, and performance of music and how music can influence and change non-musical brain and behavior function. It is the therapeutic application of music to cognitive, sensory, and motor dysfunctions due to neurologic disease of the human nervous system. NMT uses a standardized system of clinical techniques that use the functional perception of all properties of music to train and retrain brain and behavior function. These techniques are applied to therapy as Therapeutic Music Interventions and are adaptable to clients’ needs. It is for any population including stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease, cerebral palsy, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, mental health, and other neurological diseases affecting cognition, movement, communication, and psychosocial function.
This information was collected from The Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy. For more information, please visit https://nmtacademy.co/
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Who can benefit from Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is a fun and engaging way to help clients meet their goals. These goals may include but are not limited to:
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Self confidence
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Emotional expression
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Emotional regulation
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Attention
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Receptive and expressive communication
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Social skills
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Sensory regulation
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Fine and gross motor function
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Visual motor integration
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What activities are involved?
Activities include but are not limited to:​
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Song singing
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Dancing
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Instrument playing
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Improvisation
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Musical games
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Drawing to music
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Music production
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Songwriting
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Music and yoga
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Actively listening to music
About Me
I am a warm and compassionate Registered Music Therapist and Neurologic Music Therapist based in Melbourne. I am passionate about utilising music, clients’ strengths and interests, and evidence-based practice to support my clients in achieving their full potential. My practice is client-centred, play-based and dedicated to building strong therapeutic relationships.
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I graduated with academic honours with a Bachelor of Music Therapy in 2017 at Capilano University in Vancouver, Canada. During my practicum and internship studies, I worked with a wide range of populations including patients in the Burn, Trauma, High Acuity Unit and Intensive Care Unit at Vancouver General Hospital, refugee families, children and youth with varying developmental and behavioural challenges. During my studies, I also worked as behavioural interventionist, providing 1:1 intensive ABA support to a youth client diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in a group home setting.
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Since 2010, I have worked as singer-songwriter, backing vocalist and performing musician. I find joy in sharing my love of songwriting and producing with clients using accessible apps such as Garageband.
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I am a current Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association and have worked primarily in private practice with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder since January 2020. I completed my Neurologic Music Therapy training with the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy in March 2021. Client well-being is my number one priority, and I go above and beyond to help them achieve their goals.​​​
​My Qualifications
​Education and Professional Development​
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July 2016
Guided Imagery and Music
Completed The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music Level 1 training with Liz Moffitt, M.A., R.C.C., MTA, Fellow, Association for Music and Imagery
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July 2017
Bachelor of Music Therapy
Graduated with academic honours at Capilano University in Vancouver, Canada.
March 2021
Neurologic Music Therapy
Completed International Neurologic Music Therapy training at the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy with Dr. Michael H. Thaut, PhD.
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March 2021
DIRFLOORTIME® Model
Completed Dr. Stanley Greenspan's DIR 101: DIR® and DIRFloortime® introductory training program with Jeffrey J. Guenzel, MA, LPC​​​​​​​
Services​
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Initial Consultation
This is our official meet and greet. We will discuss your background history, interests, strengths, challenges and goals. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have about Music Therapy. Your appointment includes 30 minutes contact time in person or Telehealth and a personalised treatment plan.
Individual Music Therapy
Standard individual Music Therapy service includes session preparation, travel, 50 minutes contact time in person or Telehealth and writing session notes. Sessions focus on your personalised treatment plan and involve interactive musical experiences. This may include song singing, dance, instrument playing and games.
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Group Music Therapy
Group Music Therapy is a great opportunity for clients to learn and practice their receptive and expressive communication, attention, social skills and motor skills through shared musical experiences. For more details please get in touch.
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Additional Services
Additional services include meetings, assessments, report letter writing, extensive email support and any additional services as discussed.
I love helping my clients develop and strengthen the skills they need to achieve their full potential. To learn more and book an appointment, fill out the contact form or email therapy@meiwamusic.com.