Individual Music Therapy
Our music therapy sessions are as unique as the people we work with. There is no “one size fits all” program. Sessions involve a variety of creative activities tailored to individual goals, abilities and lifestyle. Sessions may be held weekly, fortnightly, or in intensive blocks, at your home, school or in the community.
What happens in a music therapy session?
Some of the things that might happen in a music therapy session include:
Making music using voice and different instruments (e.g. guitar, keyboard, drums and other percussion)
Singing songs, doing vocal activities or practicing breath and speech through song
Listening to recorded music
Writing songs
Moving, dancing or exercising to music
Using music to help you to relax
Combining music with making art, books, toys, games, puppets, parachutes, bubbles, etc
Using music to help learn information related to education or activities of daily living
Using music technology such as making music recordings or using iPad apps
How can music therapy support me?
Depending on your goals, music therapy may help with:
Developing skills for understanding and regulating emotions
Improving memory
Increasing concentration and attention
Developing social skills such as confidence working with others, initiating interaction, understanding non-verbal communication
Improving relationships with family and friends and increasing participation in the community
Developing expressive and receptive language
Increasing self-esteem, motivation and mood
Decreasing pain
Learning strategies for relaxation and stress management
Improving balance, coordination, mobility, and gross and fine motor skills
Our Service
Location
Thrive Music provides a mobile therapy service in the Newcastle, Maitland, and Lake Macquarie region (NSW). We conveniently attend your home, school or community for therapy sessions and focus on implementing therapy strategies in your everyday settings.
Thrive Music also offers music therapy via telehealth.
Assessment
During an initial assessment, we discuss with you, and any other relevant parties (e.g. family/carers, school, other therapists), your goals, abilities and needs.
We gather the necessary information for meeting the requirements of funding bodies e.g. NDIS.
We complete an assessment in the music therapy context to develop your program and make recommendations for therapy.
Service Agreement
Before commencing therapy sessions, you (or your representative) will be asked to sign a service agreement. Your service agreement is determined in collaboration with you and outlines important information about your music therapy program such as:
The duration, frequency and location of your sessions
The total cost of your music therapy program and how your sessions will be paid for
What you can expect of your music therapy service including the goals you would like to work towards
What to do if you need to cancel a session or would like to cease music therapy
Sessions
Your sessions involve a variety of creative activities specifically designed to help you achieve your goals.
Recommendations for therapeutic activities that you can continue to do between sessions will be provided.
Reports
Progress notes are kept after each session to document the progression towards your goals.
At the end of your music therapy program or prior to your scheduled plan reassessment with the NDIA, a comprehensive report is written detailing the music therapy supports that have been provided, outcomes achieved, and any recommendations for further therapy.
Working as a team
In order to provide a comprehensive music therapy service, we work closely with your support team including parents/carers, teachers, support workers, other therapists and health professionals to ensure that your music therapy program aligns with your overall health and well-being goals.
Our Fees
Please note: The fees below do not include GST.
INDIVIDUAL MUSIC THERAPY
Initial Assessment (2 hours) $380.00 (exc. GST)
The initial assessment includes your face-to-face session time, discussion and planning your goals and therapy program, consultation with your support team (where required), written assessment summary, and preparation of non face-to-face resources and supports required for the assessment.
Standard Music Therapy Session (1 hour) $190.00 (exc. GST)
This fee includes your face-to-face session time, session preparation, short progress note written after the session, brief communication with your support team (where required).
If you require extensive preparation for sessions or the development of specific individual resources, this will be discussed with you and the time taken to create these resources will be charged in accordance with the hourly rate above.
Travel (additional the session fee) $47.50 per 15mins
All efforts are made to schedule appointments in similar regions to minimise travel charges for clients. Please contact us to discuss your location, individual travel requirements and costs.
Reports $190.00 p/hr (exc. GST)
A comprehensive report will be written detailing the music therapy supports that have been provided, outcomes achieved, and any recommendations for further therapy. It would be appreciated if you give minimum 2 weeks’ notice when requesting a report be written.
Consultation $190.00 p/hr (exc. GST)
Where the music therapist is required to attend a meeting or case conference with you, other professionals involved in your care, school teachers and/or support workers, this will be charged at an hourly rate. Attendance at these meetings, team discussions or case conferences will always be arranged with you prior.
Cancellation Policy
Please make every effort to give as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend a session.
Cancellation with more than 48 hours notice: There will be no charge if you give more than 48 hours notice when cancelling a session. Where possible, the session can be rescheduled.
Cancellation with less than 48 hours notice: If you cancel your session with less than 48 hours notice, you will still be charged your full session fee. Travel charges will also still apply if the therapist has already traveled to your location before receiving notice of your cancellation.
If you choose to no longer participate in music therapy, it would be appreciated if you give at least 2 weeks’ notice to cancel all future sessions. This gives enough time to close off your therapy program and complete any required documentation.
We understand it is not always possible to give 48 hours notice of illness or unforeseen emergency. However, we request that you please cancel your session if you are experiencing even the smallest symptoms of illness. We can arrange for you to attend your session via telehealth. Many music therapy sessions are held with vulnerable people with weakened immune systems who struggle to tolerate or recover quickly from minor illnesses. Your understanding in reducing the spread of germs to others through contact with the music therapist and music therapy equipment is greatly appreciated.