Sydney Music Therapy

13/12/2024

Aussie musicians join chorus of support for music therapy professionals after NDIS leak

Friday 13, Dec 2024



An NDIS decision affecting thousands of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, their families and music therapy professionals, is reaching fever-pitch.

Star Aussie musicians from across the country have joined in unison to show support for music therapy professionals who are looking down the barrel of having to cut staff and being made redundant less than two weeks from Christmas.

This comes after the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) were notified via a leak in November that music therapy would not be considered a ‘therapy’ under NDIS support – a decision that will affect thousands of participants and their families by preventing vital access to the therapeutic supports they need.

Peak body President Monica Zidar RMT of the Australian Music Therapy Association has expressed her disappointment at the lack of consultation from the National Disability Insurance Agency prior to the decision being made and the uncertainty following a meeting with the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme of Australia, Hon. Bill Shorten MP:

“We met with the Minister last Friday to explain the evidence base of music therapy and the functional outcomes it achieves as an allied health profession. He acknowledged the need to revisit this and review the benefits of music therapy for participants – but we’re still in limbo until details are confirmed, and a lot of people are understandably feeling very anxious about getting laid off – let’s remember we’re talking about people’s wellbeing, businesses and livelihoods."

Following the leak, the NDIS in late November released a statement on removing music therapy from NDIS supports. Scores of NDIS participants, their families and music therapy professionals have called on the government to take action and reverse the decision so that music therapy professionals can have certainty around their jobs going into Christmas and the new year, and can continue to support participants until a review is completed.

03/01/2022

Belinda Leonard a nsw registered music therapist doing some amazing work with veteran and first responders! Well done! Check it out!

14/06/2021

Most families are fast paced and busy. Sometimes it’s hard or almost impossible to give our children the time, to sit with them through their emotions…. But we need to make the time for our children to grow and learn. We must!

Too often, I see children reprimanded when they're not able to control their behaviours and emotions. They’re expected to remain calm and happy, not get upset, not display anger, and quickly calm themselves down if they do get upset. If they can’t do this, they may be referred to me for "self-regulation difficulties".⠀
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Here's the thing. Self-regulation is a developmental process. Just as we wouldn’t expect a child to run before they can walk, we cannot expect children to self-regulate until they’ve experienced co-regulation time and time again. And unless a child has had it modelled enough, and their brain has developed enough, they will not achieve regulation on their own.⠀
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Have a think - when was the last time you heard a 3 year old say “I’m so angry my sister hit me! I need to calm down. I’m just going to take myself outside to do some deep breaths”.⠀
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Co-regulation begins from birth. When babies are unsettled and we cuddle them, rock them, feed them - we are helping them to regulate.⠀
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When toddlers are angry that they can't have the toy they want, and we empathise with them, sit with them, get them a drink - we are helping them to regulate.⠀
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When preschoolers are upset because they're not ready to leave their playdate, and we listen and help them take deep breaths - we are helping them to regulate.⠀
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Self-regulation only BEGINS to emerge around 4-5 years. And whilst some 4-5 year olds may be able to regulate themselves, others may not be able to. Both are within the typical range of development.⠀
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True self-regulation is not fully established until our mid-twenties. Even then, we often turn to others to help us feel better when we are feeling low. We are often quite happy to help other adults feel better when they're feeling low, however when children need our help, we may be reluctant to give it, perhaps in fear that we will stunt their emotional resilience (amongst many other understandable but unfounded fears).⠀
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When we ask a child to regulate themselves before they're ready, we risk shaming them, affecting their self-esteem, and their relationship with us. Co-regulation needs to come first.

You won’t be able to co-regulate all of the time, and that’s okay, but it can help to know that kids may not be able to regulate on their own, and for good reason.

20/09/2020

Summer is coming!! Hands up if you would like to try this with your child this summer in our music therapy sessions? Is your child reluctant to try new foods... let’s make food fun again!

31/03/2020

https://youtu.be/TGkEml4s-yc

My little one started school this year...what a start it has been...he is so desperate to learn how to read...I bet there are other kids out there feeling the same. This is how I am trying to keep my children engaged in school work at home (while running a small business) and bring a bit of humour into our self isolation.

Feel free to share...more to come:) Credit to Jolly Phonics...my own creations to come soon:)

Wishing good health and hope to all!

Phonic Fun - Sound "A" - stuck at home in self isolation with the kids and need something a little bit interactive and entertaining for your primary school c...

12/03/2020

Did you know that over the last 3 years Sydney Music Therapy has established and delivered telecommunication sessions to clients who are regionally excluded/ in another state or dealing with issues that keep them isolated? If you have concerns attending sessions in person this maybe the perfect option for you! To find out more please contact reanna@sydneymusictherapy.com.au
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04/03/2020

Australia’s first autism awareness campaign.

29/02/2020

Happy World Music Therapy Day from Sydney Music Therapy!

27/02/2020

Interesting Info on PDA, strategies and overview.

10/02/2020

Sydney Music Therapy is BACK! Refer a friend, tell the community, spread it far and wide! SPACES AVAILABLE!!
Contact via www.sydneymusictherapy.com.au

Looking forward to hearing from you!!

Sydney Music Therapy Sydney Music Therapy is a private music therapy practice based on the Lower North Shore in Castle Cove, serving individuals of all ages and abilities; offering both individual and group music therapy sessions. More

06/01/2020

Our Rural Fire Service (volunteer fire fighters) are doing an outstanding job! In times of crisis people through history have written songs to help people overcome adversity. This is my song that I hope gives strength to the fire fighters, their families and their communities. "We stand with you, You are true blue!"
And these are local kids wanting to support through singing...sometimes songs can mean more than money...this is heartfelt and we hope that at least one fire fighter hears this song and knows we think they are HEROS!

Please SHARE and If you would like to donate to our go fund page for the RFS go to www.drummingupsupport.com.au

04/01/2020

This is terrifying! My family and friends down south of Sydney have been evacuated. The fires are burning everywhere. Our Rural Fire Services (run by volunte...