Artform Therapies

10/03/2026

One of today’s session explored handbells alongside a client-drawn colour-coded song sheet. 🔔🎶

The activity supported the development of:

**attentional regulation** **planning and organising**
**fine motor planning and coordination**
**and creative thinking, supporting the client to engage with the task in a way that aligned with their strengths and interests.

Planning the colour sequence provided an opportunity for self-expression and problem-solving, while playing the handbells supported sequencing, visual tracking, and motor coordination within a structured but flexible activity.

Neuro-affirming practice values different ways of thinking, creating, and engaging. Music Therapy provides space for young people to explore, lead with their ideas, and build skills through meaningful, strengths-based experiences. 🌈

11/01/2026

It’s PD time. Supporting early childhood educators ‘musicking’ skills.

16/11/2025

🎬✨ Just watched a powerful new film that follows the work of a board-certified music therapist in an aged-care facility in the U.S. — and wow, it beautifully captures what qualified, registered music therapists do every day. Even though it’s set in America, the message is universal and so relevant to our own communities and public health systems.

This film shows the real impact of music therapy for older adults living with **dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions**. It highlights something we see again and again:

🎵 **When language fades, music remains.**
Even as the brain’s language networks go offline due to dementia, the musical processing network often stays intact. Through music, people can reconnect with themselves and others in ways that spoken words can’t reach.

The documentary shows moments of:
❤️ **Deep and meaningful connection**
💬 **Communication without needing speech**
😊 **A sense of identity and voice**
🤝 **Belonging instead of isolation**

Music therapists don’t just “play songs.” They use evidence-based, clinical techniques to help people access memories, regulate emotions, maintain motor function, and feel seen, heard, and valued.

This film is a reminder of how *essential* music therapists are — not only in aged care but across the entire community and public health system. Their work brings dignity, meaning, and connection to people at a time in life when so much is slipping away.

If you get a chance to see it, do. It’s a beautiful tribute to the power of music therapy and the people who use it to change lives. 🎶💙

https://www.pbs.org/video/something-changed-in-the-room-zukcic/?source=social&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwOGWNpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5CGNhbGxzaXRlAjI1AAEeVi9BRhkH5x7gn3WLPCwlvwRaeXgIPSc0VuHmHPFT8fLPgApZZYyJ2wy08mo_aem_ZDUemm5j3jDi05teORKd

Join a board-certified music therapist as she helps seniors navigate the many hurdles of aging.

01/11/2025

🎶🎨 November News

Music and Art Therapy are now available within At Home Supports!

If you or someone you know is over the age of 65 and receiving home care support, they may be eligible to access Music or Art Therapy from the comfort of their own home.

These creative therapies can support:

🧠 Cognition – improving memory, attention, and focus
💛 Emotional wellbeing – reducing isolation, anxiety, and depression
💪 Physical mobility – through music and movement that get the body moving and support gait difficulties

Experience the motivating, connective, and beneficial outcomes that creative therapies can bring.

If you’d like to learn more for yourself or a loved one, get in touch with us at Artform Therapies.

📞0405461002
🌐www.artformtherapies.com.au

22/10/2025

At Artform Therapies we value children and families, and care about their privacy and safety.

We’ve reached a point in our society where AI and online safety are more important than ever. As parents, staying informed and up to date can empower us to make thoughtful decisions about our children’s access to the online world.

21/10/2025

🎵 Bringing evidence-based therapy to life — through music.

At Artform Therapies, we use music intentionally to support communication, emotional expression, and wellbeing across all ages and abilities.

Learn more at www.artformtherapies.com.au
🎶

19/10/2025

Celebrating a milestone! The Australian Music Therapy Association's 50th Anniversary Celebration and Conference was a resounding success, filled with heartwarming moments of connection with colleagues Australian Music Therapy Association

10/09/2025

***DR DUCKETT REVIEW IS OUT***

The Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) has **welcomed the recognition of music therapy as an NDIS-funded therapeutic support** in the Independent Review led by Dr Stephen Duckett AM.

This is a big step forward for our field:

✅ Music therapy is officially recognised as an evidence-based allied health support under the NDIS.

✅ Only AMTA-registered music therapists can deliver music therapy, ensuring safety, professionalism, and clinical expertise.

⚠️ However, AMTA has raised serious concerns about the **20% cut to therapy rates (from $193 to $156/hr)** announced by the NDIA. This reduction risks service closures and threatens access to music therapy for NDIS participants – at the very moment the review confirmed its value as a life-changing intervention.

At Artform Therapies, we proudly stand with AMTA in advocating for accessible, sustainable music therapy for all who need it.

👉 You can read AMTA’s full official response here:
https://www.austmta.org.au/news-item/20618/media-release-amta-response-to-duckett-report?fbclid=IwY2xjawMtvjBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFmRlNiME90VmJLQ0w0cFk4AR7xDdXjQRVf56FR3pUhRkskis-a-zVrMo30O4ksI3Ayq6Ry9ij8KIOQrRfbjg_aem_K1jWGN8CnuF59vrQ6MOdbQ

28/08/2025

🌿🎨 **Nature’s Artbeat – Creativity in the Moment** 🎨🌿

At Artform Therapies, we love supporting children to explore, experiment, play, and create with the world around them.

Our **Nature’s Artbeat program** invites children to use natural items from their own environment – leaves, rocks, sticks, dirt, flowers – to experiment, express themselves, and create something uniquely theirs. 🍂🌸✨

This process-oriented approach helps children:
🌱 Develop focus and attention in the present moment
🌱 Through art therapy, children use their senses – tactile (touch), visual (sight), and beyond – to communicate their ideas, feelings, and stories in ways that go beyond words.
🌱Builds creativity, imagination, and problem-solving
🌱 Connect with nature in a calming, mindful way

It’s not about the “perfect artwork” – it’s about the flow of creating, exploring, and being fully engaged in the process. 💚

📍 Want to know more about art therapy at Artform Therapies?

👉 Visit: www.artformtherapies.com.au
👉 Follow us here for updates and inspiration!

20/08/2025

🧠🎶 What are Executive Functioning Skills – and How Can Music Therapy Help? 🎶🧠

Executive functioning skills help us plan, organise, start and finish tasks, manage time, and stay focused – and for many neurodivergent kiddos, these can be areas that need extra support.

That’s where music therapy can play a powerful and engaging role!

There are a few ways to build executive functioning skills in music therapy, particularly in the areas of:

✨ **Planning & Sequencing** – by building colourful block patterns
🖐️ **Tactile & Fine Motor Skills** – using hands-on, sensory play to build the patterns with physical blocks
🎹 **Memory & Attention** – matching each block with a specific note on the chosen instrument
🎵 **Emotional Regulation & Motivation** – by playing collaboratively, co-regulation emerges, with my client feeling mastery over playing their favourite melodies or preferred songs.

These creative, multi-sensory music therapy activities aren’t just fun – they’re intentionally crafted to support neurodivergent brains in developing important and essential cognitive skills in a way that feels safe, empowering, and enjoyable.

Music is more than melody – it’s a tool for neural growth, connection, and meaningful social-emotional engagement. 💛

🎶 Want to find out more about Artform Therapies’ Music Therapists?

👉 [Click here to learn more about Music Therapy] https://artformtherapies.com.au/music-therapy/
📘 Follow us on Facebook for updates, tips & stories:
🌐 Visit our website: www.artformtherapies.com.au

15/08/2025

Friday feels.. who is with me on this one? My two daughters have me hooked.