AMTA 2018 Program & Abstracts - 44th Australian Music Therapy Association National Conference - Australian Music Therapy ...
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AMTA 2018
44th Australian Music Therapy
Association National Conference
14 - 16 September 2018 | Rydges Sydney Central
Program & Abstracts
www.austmtaconference.com.au
Contents
Welcome............................................................... 3 Thank you to our Sponsors
National Conference Committee ................ 4 and Exhibitors
General Information......................................... 7
Gold Sponsor
Venue Floor Plan................................................ 8
Keynote Speakers.............................................. 9
Program
PDS................................................................14
Saturday.......................................................16
Conference Supporter
Sunday..........................................................20
Conference Awards.........................................22
Scientific Committee......................................24
Abstracts
PDS................................................................26
Saturday.......................................................42
Sunday..........................................................67
Exhibitors
AMTA2018 Conference Secretariat
GPO Box 3270
Sydney NSW 2001
Ph: +61 (0) 2 9254 5000
www.icmsaust.com.au
Email: info@austmtaconference.com.au
www.austmtaconference.com.au
2
Welcome
On behalf of the National Conference Committee, I would
like to welcome you to the 44th Australian Music Therapy
Association National Conference to be held in Sydney,
September 14 -16 2018.
Reflecting on last year’s conference, we as music therapists
were encouraged to consider our professional trajectory,
negotiating an ever-changing landscape to deliver, refine and
reconnect with the music, and music therapy’s capacity to
change lives.
It is this ever-changing landscape that has captured this
year’s Committee’s imagination to explore the on-going
process of adaption. As music therapists, we are constantly
adapting to the landscape of our working environment,
cultures, roles, people and politics. Each of these landscapes
brings challenges and barriers as well as celebrated successes
that in turn help us to further develop and facilitate our
profession.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic song “Hey
Jude” by Paul McCartney. Timeless in its words and melody,
it too has been adapted from its first 36-piece orchestral
recording lasting more than 7 minutes to the present day
versions. As we continue to adapt and “make things better,”
I would like to warmly welcome you to the 2018 Conference
held at the Rydges Sydney Central. This vibrant and creative
Committee welcome you and your support with a program to
stimulate the chameleon in all of us!
Samantha Schoeler-Jones - Conference Convenor
3
National Conference Committee
Samantha Schoeler-Jones
Conference Convenor
Having completed a Bachelor of Music Performance at the Western
Australian Conservatorium of Music with Richard Gill as Dean, Sam
moved to Germany to further her studies in flute at the Hochschule
fuer Musik, Franz Liszt. Weimar. On completing these studies, she had
one of those life changing moments when she found some brochures
on a table at the music school about studying music therapy in
Germany. And so began a new journey…..
With a passion for teaching, Sam began a Diploma of Education
(Music) and returned to Australia in 2004 with her family to build on
the knowledge and experience she’d gained during the 9 years of
living in Germany and completing her Dip Ed.
In 2007, Sam completed the process of registration with the AMTA
and in 2008 became involved with the NSW AMTA in the role
as Treasurer for a number of years. As someone who values the
importance of being active within our Association, she also accepted
the opportunity to be Social Chair for the 2013 National Conference.
Currently, she is working as a Clinical Specialist with Sing&Grow
Australia (NSW Team), specialist classroom music teacher and music
therapist for the Department of Education, mentor for the National
Music Teachers Mentoring Program and curriculum consultant, with
the occasional performance to nurture the musician inside!
Dr. Alison Liew Stewart (previously Creighton)
Scientific Chair
Ali is passionate about empowering families to develop and maintain
secure attachments. She currently works as a Clinical Specialist for
Sing&Grow Australia (NSW team) and privately facilitates the Circle of
Security Group Parenting Program.
Ali has a penchant for studying, learning and teaching. In 2014, she
completed her PhD in how the experience of mother-infant singing
interaction contributes to attachment. In 2015-2016 she was a casual
lecturer at the University of Western Sydney Creative Music Therapy
course. In 2017 she completed a Masters in Special Education (deaf
and hard of hearing) to pursue her interest in assisting children with
hearing loss to acquire and develop language.
Ali’s goal is to combine and utilise all these passions to continue
empowering families while assisting children reach their potential.
4
Vanessa Lucas
PDS Convenor
As a Masters’ graduate from UTS in 2010 and current Music Therapist
at Giant Steps School in Sydney, Vanessa is passionate about elevating
the well-being, emotional health and quality of life of her students
through active engagement, participation and diversity of musical
and arts-based experiences.
Vanessa is committed to improving and increasing informed and
inclusive arts-access options for young people with Autism and
their families. She has worked collaboratively with prominent arts
organisations (i.e. Sydney Opera House, Sydney Festival, Australian
Museum and the Art Gallery of NSW) to share her knowledge
and experience on how to provide effective Autism-friendly
communication and support, in order to enhance the venue’s offering
and consequently each patron’s experience.
Vanessa presented on this subject at both the Arts Activated
Conference in 2014 and at the National AMTA Conference in Sydney in
2015. In 2014 she also presented a research paper on the ‘Xylophone
Project’ at both the World Congress of Music Therapy in Austria and
the AMTA Conference in Melbourne. Last year, she received an Access
award from the Sydney Opera House for her training, advice and
expertise relating to Relaxed Performances.
Christine Morson
Social Chair
Christine completed her Graduate Diploma of Creative Music Therapy
at WSU in 2004. Since then she has worked as a contractor for
Nordoff-Robbins, Sing and Grow, Boppin Babies as well as her own
private practice servicing individual clients and organisations such as
relationships Australia.
Over the past 13 years she has worked as part of an outreach team
establishing programs in state high schools for adolescents with
behaviour and emotional disorders. Implementing programs for
families at risk including the prison setting. Working with people with
disabilities of all ages to reach their full potential and more recently
for Health NSW in adult mental health.
Christine is currently the NSW Chair and has been challenged and says
she learnt so much during the past 18 months or so. She loves the
diversity that our profession provides and being a part of the change
of so many lives through music is a pleasure and a privilege.
5
National Conference Committee
Lauren Bortolazzo
Conference Assistant
Lauren graduated from the Western Sydney University’s (WSU)
Masters of Creative Music Therapy degree with Distinction in 2016
and has been enjoying her first few years as a newly graduated
Registered Music Therapist. Lauren was previously the WSU Student
Representative on the NSW AMTA board and she currently holds
the Secretarial position. This role has given Lauren the opportunity
to engage with NSW AMTA members and help organise beneficial
events and opportunities for RMT’s as well as advocate for the Music
Therapy profession through Social Media. Lauren is passionate about
supporting students and RMTs who are new to the profession.
Lauren currently works as an RMT for MusicConnect and the Salvation
Army in the areas of youth mental health and family therapy and she
is passionate about empowering the young people and families she
works with.
Jacinta Calabro
Conference & PDS Chair
Jacinta Calabro runs TLC Music and is the founder of Music Therapy
Online. She has extensive clinical experience working with babies,
children and families and is passionate about ongoing learning and
empowering music therapists to thrive.
6
General Information
Catering
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be available during the Conference and PDS and is
included in your registration fees. All dietary requirements will be catered for according to the
information provided on your registration. Catering times are as follows:
Friday (PDS) Saturday Sunday
Morning Tea 11.00am – 11.30am 10.15am – 10.45am 10.00am – 10.30am
Lunch 1.30pm – 2.30pm 12.45pm – 1.45pm 12.10pm – 1.10pm
Afternoon Tea 3.30pm – 4.00pm 4.05pm – 4.30pm 3.30pm – 4.00pm
Climate Name Badges
The average temperature for Sydney in For security purposes, delegates, speakers and
September ranges from 11°C (minimum) to exhibitors are required to wear their name
20°C (maximum) badges to the sessions. Entrance into sessions
is restricted to registered delegates only.
Conference Party &
Registration Ceremony Parking
Parking is available at the hotel at $44 for over
Will be held on Saturday 15th September from
4 hours.
6.00pm onwards at Rydges Sydney Central in
the Surry Room.
Registration Desk
Hashtag The registration desk is located in the foyer of
the conference venue. The registration desk
This year’s official conference hashtag is
will be open at the following times:
#AustMTA2018
Internet Friday 7.30am – 5.00pm
Saturday 7.30am – 5.00pm
The conference venue has complimentary
Sunday 8.00am – 4.00pm
internet Wi-Fi access for all delegates. Details
for connection are:
Speakers
Wi-Fi Network = Rydges Event
Please ensure that you are available in your
Password = conference
presentation room at least 15 minutes prior to
Lost and Found the start of the session. Speakers will need to
upload their presentations onto the computer
Any found items may be turned into the
in the session room at least 2 hours before the
registration desk located in the foyer of the
session starts.
conference venue.
Mobile Phones
Delegates are requested to switch off vtheir
mobile phones or set them to silent when in
sessions.
7
Venue Map
Terrace
Harbour Bridge Room
Harbour Bridge Service
Lift
Rydges Sydney Central
8
Room
Lift Lift
Opera House Room
Taronga Zoo
Taronga Zoo
Opera House Registration, Posters and
Registration,Posters and
Catering Area
Room Catering Area
Sydney Tower
Sydney Tower Room
Room
Keynote Speakers
A/Prof. Stine Lindahl Jacobsen
Aalborg University, Denmark
“This will be my first visit to Australia and I am thrilled at the opportunity
to share and exchange knowledge with Australian music therapists!
I have always felt connected to several Australian approaches and
perspectives within music therapy and I feel honored to be invited as an
international guest to the national AMTA 2018 Conference.”
Stine Lindahl Jacobsen is Associate Professor and Head of Music
Therapy at Aalborg University in Denmark. She currently hosts the International Music Therapy
Assessment Consortium (IMTAC) and the research center Arts & Health in North Jutland, Denmark.
Her main lecturing areas since 2008 include music therapy improvisation skills, group music
therapy skills and music therapy assessment. Since 2011, she has held numerous conference
presentations, lectures, workshops, and trainings mostly in Scandinavia, but also several times in
Spain, Germany, UK, and Austria. She has published various articles and chapters in the area of
working with children and families at risk and in the research area of standardized music therapy
assessment tools and effect studies. As part of her PhD in 2012 Jacobsen developed the music
therapy tool “Assessment of Parent-Child Interaction” (APCI). Currently she trains and certifies
music therapists from around the world, who work or have an interest in working with families.
Music Therapy with Families: Diversity & Adaption
The field of music therapy with families is fast developing including therapeutic approach,
research, training and populations. There is much diversity both across and within layers
highlighting how music therapists adapt to different settings, needs, challenges and aims
when working with families. Building from a presentation of diversity, focus will move
towards adaption as a main theme when working with families. Music therapy approaches
need to connect and adapt to current social and societal needs and challenges maybe
even especially when working with families. The concept of adaption is active in how the
therapist consciously intervenes and adapts to each individual family and in how family
members can strengthen communication, mutual attunement and attachment. Likewise,
when new therapeutic approaches and aims develop, training, research designs, and
outcome measures have to follow and adapt. The valuable and challenging dance between
research, training and therapy is presented and discussed including a short presentation of
“Assessment of Parent-Child Interaction” (APCI) recently developed. APCI is an observation-
based music therapy measure investigating parent-child communication and attachment
using structured and unstructured improvisations and is carried out in close collaboration
with the parents.
9
Dr. Valerie Looi
Advanced Bionics, NSW, Australia
“I’m looking forward to reconnecting with the profession I started in and
the professionals I started with, and to see the phenomenal progress
music therapy has made in Australia from being an emerging profession
when I first registered, to now being a well-respected one built on
research evidence and clinical expertise. I also look forward to the
opportunity to show that the benefit and value of music therapy extends
to other professions and can be successfully integrated into a range of
other clinical and research fields.”
Valerie completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy, and a Masters in Clinical Audiology
at the University of QLD followed by a PhD in Audiology from the University of Melbourne.
Her PhD combined the professions of audiology with music therapy, investigating the music
perception of cochlear implant recipients, compared to hearing aid users. She is a clinically
certified member of the Audiological Society of Australia, and has previously held positions as
a Senior Lecturer in Audiology at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and the Senior
Research Manager for the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre. She is currently the Asia Pacific
Research Manager for Advanced Bionics. Her research has focused on the music perception and
appreciation of cochlear implant recipients, developing music training programs to improve their
music appreciation levels, as well as quality of life issues, clinical outcomes, and tonal language
perception for cochlear implant recipients. As a music therapist she has previously worked for
Education Queensland as their first music therapist in QLD, as well as at various other special
schools in Brisbane, and with private clients.
With over 35 peer-reviewed publications in international audiology journals, she is recognised as
one of the pioneers and international expert in the area of music perception for cochlear implant
recipients, and has presented extensively at many international conferences. She has edited
for several journal editions, successfully obtained numerous competitive research grants, and
has supervised 35 Masters or PhD audiology students to completion. She currently also holds
affiliate positions with Macquarie University here in Sydney, as well as the National University of
Singapore.
10Music Training for the Hearing Impaired - The bridge between Audiology &
Music Therapy
Music training for the hearing impaired may sound like an oxymoron, but to quote the
iconic Simon & Garfunkel song, it creates “A bridge over troubled waters”. For the hearing
impaired, communication is usually their first priority. Devices such as hearing aids (HAs)
and cochlear implants (CIs) aim to restore a person’s ability to hear auditory stimuli, and
better communicate. After speech, many hearing impaired rate music as the next most
important auditory stimuli in their lives. After all, music serves many roles, contributing to
quality of life, socialisation and communication.
Adult CI recipients score significantly lower on music perception tests, and rate music
to sound poorer than normally hearing (NH) listeners. They struggle to perceive pitch
accurately, or identify well-known instruments or melodies, and report music to sound
‘tinny’, ‘unnatural’ and ‘unpleasant’. Some even deliberately avoid music. It has also
been shown that although CI users perform more poorly than HA users with significant
levels of hearing loss at some music tasks, HA users do not perform equivalently to NH
listeners, and in some cases score similarly to CI recipients. HA users also report music to
sound unpleasant, unnatural, not how they remember, and/or distorted. These findings
suggest that a significant hearing loss, along with the devices used to help remediate the
impairment impacts on music perception, regardless of whether a HA and/or CI is used.
The first part of this presentation, ‘HEAR we are’ will start by giving a short overview of
hearing loss, HAs and CIs, followed by presenting an overview of music perception research
involving CI recipients – both in comparison to NH listeners, as well as HA users. What
elements of music do they hear well? What elements do they struggle with? Why is this the
case?
The findings of these studies are important for the second part of the presentation, ‘HEAR
we go…building that bridge”. Despite researchers and CI/HA companies having spent
a lot of time, effort and money on trying to develop new signal processing strategies,
updated technology, or even new devices to improve music perception, there has been
little clinically significant improvement, with accurate and enjoyable music perception
remaining elusive to many hearing impaired adults. Time with a CI or HA does not improve
music perception, nor does the brand of the device matter.
So what can be done?
Recent research has shown that music listening practice and training does improve music
perception and appreciation, despite the limitations of the devices and the physiological
considerations related to hearing loss. Some of these research studies and their outcomes
will be presented. Additionally, considerations for clinicians involved in developing and/or
implementing such sessions or training programs will be covered.
The chameleon of both music therapy and audiology means our independent yet
overlapping, unique yet diverse, skill sets and scope of practice enables us to bring a new
dimension to rehabilitation for the hearing impaired, beyond technology and engineering.
This presentation aims to demonstrate how we can build a bridge between professions, as
well as between hearing impairment and enjoyable music listening experiences.
11Local Spotlight
Iani Sujono & Rob Devlin
Sound Expression, NSW, Australia
Iani Sujono
Iani is a Senior Registered Music Therapist with over 19 years’ experience
and she is a Director of Sound Expression. Iani has worked with early
childhood intervention programs, community disability groups, special
needs schools, aged care facilities as well as in private practice. Her
passion lies in working with children with special needs including
children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, especially in developing their
relational and engagement skills.
Iani founded Sound Expression in 2000. In 2001 she was invited by Nordoff-Robbins Music
Therapy Australia to join their team. Iani was an integral part of this not-for-profit organisation for
over 13 years – she initially joined as a clinician and soon became the Operations Manager of a
team of 12 music therapists servicing around 500 clients on a weekly basis.
Iani then re-established her Sound Expression business in late 2015 and expanded her service
from purely delivering music therapy, to delivering music lessons and various projects including
their “Connecting Abilities Through Music” community music project. Since 2015, Sound
Expression has grown into a clinic with 3 workrooms, 6 Registered Music Therapists and an office
administrator servicing over 120 clients through private, HCWA and NDIS funding systems.
Iani’s clinical work has included providing music therapy at Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy
Australia, ASPECT, Barnardos, KU Children’s Services, Catherine Sullivan Centre, Glenmore Park
Public School, Surveyors Creek Public School and working with individual children referred by
their parents, psychologists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists.
Rob Devlin
Rob is a Senior Registered Music Therapist with over 10 years’ experience and he is a Director
of Sound Expression. Rob has worked with community disability groups, special needs schools,
support units within mainstream schools, aged care facilities as well as in private practice. He was
previously Senior Music Therapist and Head of Business Development for Nordoff-Robbins Music
Therapy Australia, overseeing it grow to servicing over 700 clients per week. He completed his
Master in Creative Music Therapy through Western Sydney University.
Rob has extensive experience as a music therapist with many clinical populations, including
children and adults with a wide range of disabilities, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder,
‘at risk’ children with behavioural and emotional disorders, mental health diagnoses, and
rehabilitation work with clients who have had strokes, acquired brain injuries and spinal cord
injuries. He also has extensive experience providing music therapy in aged care settings including
clients with dementia.
His role at Sound Expression is a dual one – Rob divides his time between clinical work across a
range of client populations and he also heads up the new business development initiatives for
Sound Expression.
Before coming to music therapy, Rob had many years’ experience in the corporate world in
various senior sales and marketing roles. He happily left that world behind to focus on his passion,
which is using music to help others live a more fulfilled and rewarding life.
12Diversifying and adapting music therapy services – can you stay sane in a
rapidly changing clinical and business environment?
It’s no secret that we live in a rapidly changing world and this is certainly true of the life of
a music therapist. Whether you work in private practice, are employed by an organisation
or work as a contract RMT, the only real constant in our lives is change. Technology,
legislation, workplaces, client and other stakeholder expectations are all rapidly evolving.
While the pace of change has been steadily increasing over the past few decades,
all indications are that this will only increase in the years ahead. So, faced with even
more change, how do we as clinicians and business people, stay sane and focussed on
delivering quality music therapy outcomes for our clients? Research in the UK has shown
that currently one third of people working in organisations have some form of anxiety or
mental health issue about the degree and the rate of change, which indicates we aren’t
dealing very well with this pressing concern. The need for adaptability has never been
greater.
Adaptability is the ability to adjust your approach or actions in response to changes in
your external environment. Strategic adaptability is the ability to plan for, cope with and
hopefully thrive when faced with the unexpected – a much more challenging task. In a
nutshell, we need to respond to change not on impulse, but on strategy. The ability of
music therapists, in all contexts, to adapt well to their changing environments will be a key
determinant of their future survival.
We have drawn on an excellent business publication and adapted it (there’s that word
again) with our own “coal face” clinical experience over many years, to provide some
insights and reflections on how to not only stay sane, but also how to stay ahead of the
curve in this rapidly changing clinical and business environment.
Our presentation will outline key characteristics of what it means to be adaptable and
how these factors interplay in the day-to-day life of a busy music therapy clinic. We give
examples of how we have adapted our practice (and our practise) to grow very quickly to
servicing 130 individual clients, including how we have navigated the challenging NDIS
waters.
13Friday 14 September 2018 (PDS)
Time Sydney Tower Room Harbour Bridge Opera House Room
Room
POPULATIONS BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL
SKILLS
8:45am – 9:00am Introduction and welcome by Vanessa Lucas
9:00am – 10:00am ‘Rhythms of Change’ - A Rhythm2Recovery
and Village Music Circles-Inspired Rhythm
Experience presented by Bek Wermut
Facilitator: Bek Wermut
10:00am – 11:00am Aged Care Q&A Spice Up Your So You Want To Run
session Guitar Playing and Your Own Music
Panel members: Improvising Therapy Business/
Belinda Mar, Johanna Facilitator: Clinic?
Haire, Alexandra Ann Lehmann Facilitators:
Morse, Jeannette Iani Sujono and Rob
Harvey and Elizabeth Devlin
Benedict
11:00AM – 11:30AM MORNING TEA
11:30am – 12:30pm Mental Health Q&A Accessible Music NDIS: The essentials
session Technology for and the latest
Panel members: Music Therapy: Facilitators:
Kate Aitchison, Making Technology Melissa Murphy and
Jennifer Bibb, Linda Accessible for Client Michelle Fisher
Blyth and Talitha and Therapist
Evans Facilitators:
Rachael Mackay and
Tanya Silveir
12:30pm – 1:30pm Hospital and “I like to move RAILE building a
palliative care Q&A it move it!” The win win business
session use of dance and model for therapy
Panel members: movement within businesses
Roxanne McLeod, music therapy Facilitator:
Priscilla Pek, Monica sessions: Methods, Vicky Abad
Lee and Lucy Forrest applications and
rationales
Facilitators:
Bronte Arns, Lene
Jeffrey, Selena
Cheyne and
Jo Poulden
14LUNCH
1:30PM – 2:30PM
State Liaison meeting in boardroom
2:30pm – 3:30pm Disability sector Insights into Improving and
Q&A session Contemporary expanding clinical
Panel members: Supervision Practice practice through
Michelle Fisher, Facilitator: research: A
Valerie Looi, Peter Natalie Jack clinician’s guide
McDonald, Meg Toon to designing and
implementing
studies within the
workplace
Facilitators:
Felicity Baker and
Jeanette Tamplin
3:30PM – 4:00PM AFTERNOON TEA
4:00pm – 5:00pm Sing Up and harmonise - exploring our
voices together
Facilitator: Trish Watts
15Saturday 15 September 2018
8:45am – 9:15am Official Conference Welcome
Sponsored by
9:15am – 10:15am International Keynote Presentation
Music Therapy with Families: Diversity & Adaption
A/Prof. Stine Lindahl Jacobsen
10:15AM – 10:45AM MORNING TEA
Paediatrics/infants Rehab / Song- Music Therapy in
Sydney Tower Room Writing different contexts
Harbour Bridge Room - Adapting to
landscapes
Opera House Room
10:45am – 11:15am ORAL ORAL ORAL
PRESENTATION PRESENTATION PRESENTATION
-Music in the Mix: -Adapting to -Music therapists
Integrating Music the needs of as case managers.
Therapy into a community-dwelling Why we should
Paediatric Palliative people living with be adapting to
Care Service dementia and their the contemporary
Ms Roxanne McLeod family caregivers: interdisciplinary
Development health and welfare
of a protocol for landscape
therapeutic group Dr Jennifer Bibb
songwriting
Dr Imogen Clark,
Ms Phoebe Stretton-
Smith
11:15am – 11:45am ORAL ORAL ORAL
PRESENTATION PRESENTATION PRESENTATION
-The Heartbeat -Adaptation of the -Professional
Project: Combining self post-injury - The Advocacy Fatigue:
technology and effect of identity- Implications for
music to capture focused songwriting Music Therapists and
meaningful interventions Music Therapy
memories on depression, Ms Natalie Jack
Mrs Annabelle Keevers psychological
& Mr Matt Ralph wellbeing, and
satisfaction with life
post neurotrauma:
a randomized
controlled trial.
Professor Felicity
Baker
1611:45am – 12:15pm ORAL ORAL ORAL
PRESENTATION PRESENTATION PRESENTATION
-Weaving the -Functional Electrical -Perfect Pitch:
cradle: Promoting Stimulation+iPad- Presenting Music
flourishing based music therapy: Therapy as an
relationships a novel approach to obvious inclusion
between new the rehabilitation of in multidisciplinary
parents and their the arm/hand post healthcare
babies through baby stroke Dr Kathleen Lawson
music groups. Ms Tanya Silveria
Ms Jacinta Calabro
12:15pm – 12:45pm ORAL ORAL ORAL
PRESENTATION PRESENTATION PRESENTATION
-Fosterers and -Mapping the -Music therapists’
barriers to parents’ musical landscape professional
musical engagement post stroke: Musical identities: Stories
with their baby expertise as a from another land
across their neonatal consideration for Ms Penny Warren
journey: The evolving functional recovery
role of the NICU Ms Fiona Sham, Ms
music therapist Janeen Bower
Ms Elizabeth Mclean
12:45PM – 1:45PM LUNCH
Children/trauma Clinical training/ Clinical practise
Sydney Tower Room education Opera House Room
Harbour Bridge Room
1:45pm – 2:15pm ORAL ORAL WORKSHOP -A case
PRESENTATION PRESENTATION study demonstrating
-Amplify: a -Helping music how adapting
collaboration therapy students to independent
between speech adapt to the community living
pathology and music interprofessional after a severe mental
therapy landscape of an breakdown was
Mrs Anita Connell & acute paediatric achieved by a 54 year
Mr John Field medical setting. old woman through
Miss Miriam Cromie the combined uses
of music therapy
2:15pm – 2:45pm ORAL ORAL
and counselling
PRESENTATION PRESENTATION
techniques.
-Stories of Van Go -What should I
Dr Kirstin Robertson-
– A mobile creative do now? Critical
Gillam
therapy service for thinking in music
children traumatised therapy training and
by family violence practice
Miss Erin Crighton Dr Alison Short, Ms
Allison Fuller
17Saturday 15 September 2018
2:45pm – 3:15pm ORAL ORAL WORKSHOP
PRESENTATION PRESENTATION -Music Therapy
-Changing the -The One Tune in the Digital Age:
way we measure Medley: empowering An exploration of
success: Balancing musical flexibility & the use of music
the building of responsiveness technology in music
relationships with Mr Oliver O’Reilly therapy practice
the gathering of Mr Carlin Mclellan
meaningful data.
Ms Lorna Berry & Dr
Maree Stanley
3:15pm – 3:45pm ORAL ORAL
PRESENTATION PRESENTATION
-Cultural Learning -How do three
through Music in music therapists
Remote Australia from collectivistic
Dr Dianne Langan culture view
community music
therapy in Asia?- An
international study
Miss Chin Cheung
3:45pm – 4:05pm STUDENT/NEW STUDENT/NEW
GRAD GRAD
-‘How’d that kid get -Being a chameleon
that good’ – A case and adapting to
study in adapting new approaches:
the Nordoff-Robbins Future directions for
improvisational integrating Auditory
approach to Verbal Therapy
childhood PTSD and Music Therapy
Mrs Chanelle interventions
Henderson in children with
hearing loss in an
interdisciplinary
setting
Ms Robyn Fernandez-
Baca
4:05PM – 4:30PM AFTERNOON TEA
4:30pm – 6:00pm Annual General Meeting
6:00pm onwards Conference Party & Registration Ceremony
1819
Sunday 16 September 2018
9:00am – 9:15am Welcome & House Keeping
9:15am – 10:00am Local Spotlight Presentation
Diversifying and adapting music therapy services – can you stay sane in a
rapidly changing clinical and business environment?
Iani Sujono & Rob Devlin
10:00AM –
MORNING TEA
10:30AM
10:30am – 11:30am National Keynote PresentationMusic Training for the Hearing Impaired
- The Bridge Between Audiology & Music Therapy
Dr. Valerie Looi
11:30am – 12:10pm Poster Express Session
PO4 - Miss Amy Howden
Singing, creating, composing and cuddling: A parent’s recipe for coping
with an extended premature NICU admission.
PO5 - Mrs Aniek Janssen
Phases of music therapy treatment in a severe paediatric burns case.
PO6 - Miss Helena Olofsson
"Sharing meaningful experiences with infants in oncology: A
phenomenological inquiry into the insights of music therapists".
PO7 - Miss Tina Read
Living with schizophrenia: a musical approach to addressing enduring
cognitive impairment
PO8 - Miss Tina Read
Inspiring confidence: supporting parents to develop parenting self-
efficacy through increased social confidence and connectedness
PO9 - Ms Catherine Russell & Ms Catherine Schmidt
Music Therapy in Special Education and AAC: Reflective & Reflexive Music
Therapy Practice working with Augmented Assistive Communication with
children.
PO10 - Ms Emma-lee Steindl
The Engagement and Interaction of Adolescents from Refugee
Backgrounds in Music Therapy
12:10PM – LUNCH
1:10PM OPS COMM MEETING
20Autism/special ed Policy/NDIS Mental Health /
Sydney Tower Room Harbour Bridge Room theory/brain injury
Opera House Room
1:10pm – 1:40pm ORAL PRESENTATION ROUND TABLE ORAL PRESENTATION
-Making Music, -Navigating through -Differentiated-Self
Making Change: the ever changing and Integrated-Self in
Music Therapy on an
supporting adaptive NDIS land
Individual-Communal
thinking beyond Dr Juyoung Lee, Dr Continuum
music therapy Melissa Murphy, Ms Ms Izumi Nago
Mrs Clare Jones Iani Sujono, Mr Rob
1:40pm – 2:10pm ORAL PRESENTATION Devlin ORAL PRESENTATION
-Figurenotes, Autism -Linking mind and
and Action Research: body in Guided
Imagery and Music
Adapting Resources
practice: The extended
and Approaches physical marker
Mr Matthew Breaden imagery model
Dr Alison Short
2:10pm – 2:40pm ORAL PRESENTATION ROUND TABLE ORAL PRESENTATION
-Framework for -Implications for -“I Have a New Song
collaboration and policy and practice to Sing!” Group music
therapy programs
moving forward: when patients want
within a women’s
Music therapy, music their songs to ‘go viral’ residential drug and
in special education Ms Karen Bolger, alcohol treatment
and Universal Design Anneliis Way, Stephan service.
for Learning. Skov & Erin Li Allison Fuller & Lauren
Mrs Catherine Schmidt Bortolazzo
2:40pm – 3:10pm ORAL PRESENTATION ORAL PRESENTATION
-Reimagining -Reaching the
Access: exploring forgotten: Sensory
Training for Arousal
and adapting new
Recovery by a
technology to Transdisciplinary Team
maximise music Mrs Christobel Clark
creation for children
with disability
Ms Tanya McKenna, Ms
Jo Rimmer, Ms Megan
Spragg
3:10pm – 3:30pm STUDENT/NEW STUDENT/NEW
GRAD -I’d Like to GRAD -Using Music
Teach the World to Therapy to work with
power relationships in
Sing’: An Examination
the context of mental
of Singing and health
Functional Language Mr Michael Mcinerney
Use in ADL &
Transition Songs for
Children with ASD
Miss Tess McLennan
3:30PM – 4:00PM AFTERNOON TEA
4:00pm – 5:00pm Conference Closing & Awards
21Conference Awards
Each year, the National Council of the Australian Music Therapy Association presents two awards
for excellence for a presentation during the closing ceremony of the National Conference.
These awards are intended to recognise both the quality of the content of the presentation
and the professionalism of the presenter. These awards particularly value a well-articulated and
presented session, with innovative and inspiring content. The recipients are presented with a
certificate of achievement and cheque for $300, plus the opportunity to be awarded a further
$200 if they present the same paper at another conference within 12 months.
The Ruth Bright Award
Named in honour of Australia’s pioneering music therapist and prolific music therapy author,
Dr Ruth Bright, AM, this award is open to RMTs with more than one year’s clinical experience. Dr
Bright was the inaugural president of the AMTA, holds an AMTA Lifetime Achievement Award and
is a past president of the World Federation of Music Therapy. Highly regarded for her lectures, as a
supervisor and clinician, and for the never-ending support she provides for music therapists, she
also laid the foundations for professional training courses in New South Wales. We are proud to
offer this award in recognition of Dr Bright’s remarkable achievements.
Past recipients are:
1994 Dr Lorna Lloyd-Green
1995 Clare O’Callaghan
1996 Jeannette Kennelly
1997 Kate Witmee
1998 Brigit Hogan
1999 Vicky O’Shea (Abad)
2000 Allison Fuller
2001 Catherine Threlfall
2002 Robyn Booth
2003 Helen Shoemark
2004 Robin Howat
2005 No award due to World Congress
2006 Maggie Leung
2007 John Hedigan and Helen Shoemark
2008 Lucanne Magill and Clare O’Callaghan
2009 Jeanette Milford
2010 Clare O’Callaghan and Richard Hiscock
2011 Grace Thompson
2012 Katrina Skewes McFerran and Carmen Cheong-Clinch
2013 Priscilla Pek and Angela Mallia
2014 Felicity Baker
2015 Tim Minchin
2016 Jeanette Tamplin
2017 Cameron Haigh
22The Denise Grocke Award
Named in honour of Emeritus Professor Denise Grocke, AO. This award is open to final year
students of AMTA-accredited music therapy courses and RMTs with less than one year’s
experience. Professor Grocke is renowned for her commitment to the development of music
therapy education in Australia. She was pivotal in developing the first Australian course at the
University of Melbourne and taught more than 350 students before she retired. Professor Grocke
has guided the development of music therapists through undergraduate and graduate courses,
including Masters and PhD qualifications.
Professor Grocke was a founding member and past president of AMTA, past president of the
World Federation of Music Therapy, and a recipient of AMTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The
Denise Grocke award is a recognition of her extraordinary achievement and leadership of the
profession.
Past recipients are:
1995 Jeanette Kennelly, University of Queensland
1996 Melissa Grasso, University of Melbourne
1997 Louise Bear (Miles), University of Queensland
1998 Patrick Penfold, University of Melbourne
1999 Meagan Hunt, University of Queensland
2000 Emily Shanahan, University of Melbourne
2001 Claire de Bruin, University of Melbourne
2002 Tina Liu, University of Queensland
2003 Carolyn Jones, University of Queensland
2004 Karen Bolger (Hamlett), and Janeen Bower (Mackenzie), University of Melbourne
2005 No award due to World Congress
2006 Libby Gleadhill (Flynn), University of Queensland
2007 Hayley Miller, University of Queensland
2008 Christobel Moore, University of Queensland
2009 Astrid Notarangelo, University of Melbourne
2010 Kym Weatherley, University of Technology Sydney
2011 Jennifer Bibb, University of Melbourne
2012 Lene Jeffrey, University of Technology Sydney
2013 Sian Truasheim, University of Queensland
2014 Romy Englebrecht, Univeristy of Queensland
2015 Matthew Lewin and Asami Koike, University of Melbourne
2016 Zara Thompson, University of Melbourne
2017 Rachael Mackay, Western Sydney University
Adjudication
The awards are adjudicated by a panel of experienced music therapists, representing a broad
range of clinical expertise. Should one of them have presented a paper, they are excluded from
consideration. The awards are presented at the closing session of the conference.
23Scientific Review Committee List
With special thanks to our Scientific Review Committee
Ms Kate Aitchison Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children’s
Health Queensland
Ms Bronte Arns Giant Steps Sydney
Dr Carmen Cheong-Clinch Logan Hospital Adolescent Mental Health Unit
Dr Imogen Clark University of Melbourne
Angela (Ang) Delaney Attuned to Health
Dr Lucy Forrest Monash Health
Mrs Allison Fuller Western Sydney University
Dr Libby Gleadhill (Flynn) University of Qld
Mr Cameron Haigh Metro South Health
Dr Cherry Hense University of Melbourne
Dr Jeanette Kennelly Inspiravision & University of QLD
Mr Jason Kenner Melbourne conservatorium of music
Dr Juyoung Lee University of Melbourne
Mrs Eudora Low Private practice and Salvation Army
Prof Katrina McFerran University of Melbourne
Mr Tim Minchin Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service.
Dr Clare O’Callaghan Cabrini Health and St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
Mr Oliver O’Reilley Western Sydney University
Dr Kirstin Robertson-Gillam Creative Horizons Healthcare
Dr Helen Shoemark Temple University, Philadelphia
Ms Rosemary Signorelli STARRTS
Ms Kate Teggelove PaKT4CHANGE
Dr Stephanie Thompson The Tasmanian Specialist Palliative Service Care -
South
Ms Catherine Threlfall Sunraysia Arts and Learning
Dr Kate Williams Queensland University of Technology
24Abstracts 25
AMTA2018 – PDS ABSTRACTS
‘Rhythms of Change’ - A Rhythm2Recovery and Village Music Circles-
Inspired Rhythm Experience
Bek Wermut1
1
Women's & Girls' Emergency Centre (WAGEC)
Harbour Bridge Room, September 14, 2018, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Biography:
Bek Wermut has been working as a Registered Music Therapist since completing her studies at UTS in
2007. Since that time she has primarily worked with adult and adolescent mental health populations,
facilitating ongoing programs in such facilities as South Pacific Private Hospital, Fairfield Drug Health Unit,
Women and Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC), Vincentian House (St Vincent de Paul), Buckingham House,
Parramatta Mission and Headspace Mt Druitt.
Bek’s main area of passion and focus is in therapeutic rhythm facilitation. She has trained extensively with
Arthur Hull, father of the modern day drum circle movement, American music therapist and pioneer in the
world of therapeutic drumming, Christine Stevens, and is an accredited DRUMBEAT facilitator,
Rhythm2Recovery facilitator and Rhythm2Recovery teacher trainer.
With a passion for sharing what she has learned, Bek has facilitated staff training in therapeutic rhythm
facilitation for organisations such as The Sydney Children’s Hospital, The Starlight Foundation and the
Australian Music Therapy Association and lectured on therapeutic rhythm facilitation for the music
therapy programs at UTS and WSU.
Get ready to start this year’s PDS with a bang! Get connected, energised and ignited with this fun, co-
creative, rhythmic music-making experience.
26AMTA2018 – PDS ABSTRACTS
Aged Care Q&A Session
Belinda Mar1, Johanna Haire2, Alexandra Morse3, Jeannette Harvey4 and Elizabeth Benedict5
1
Huntingdon Gardens, 2Let the Music play, 3Child and Family Centre, 4ACAT and 5The University of Melbourne
Sydney Tower Room, September 14, 2018, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Biography:
Belinda Mar
Belinda Mar is a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association and a piano/
music teacher. In 1999 Belinda completed a Bachelor of Education (music) at the University of Newcastle,
majoring in piano. She has been teaching piano for more than 16 years. She has also worked for the
Department of Education and Training as a casual teacher in various high schools, teaching music in
mainstream classes and students in a special needs unit. After several years of teaching in high schools
Belinda wanted a change in career. She became interested in working with people who have special needs
but still wanted to use music in her work. She began study at the University of Technology, Sydney; firstly
completing the Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy and later completing extra subjects to obtain a
Master of Arts Music Therapy. Belinda decided that she wanted to specialise in aged care after doing a
practicum in an aged care facility. She has been providing music therapy programmes in aged care
facilities in the St George/Shire area for more than 10 years and also with people who have special needs.
Her focus is to use specialised music therapy interventions to meet the social, physical, psychological,
emotional, spiritual and cognitive needs of the people she works with.
Johanna Haire
Johanna Haire has been a practising Registered Music Therapist for ten years with experience in aged
care, early childhood and autism. Johanna is passionate about the value of older people in society and
believes that music therapy plays a vital part in providing them with a better quality of life. Johanna is
interested in the relationships between client populations, families, and health care professionals and the
rich creative opportunities that they provide. Johanna is also an advocate for the importance of self-care
for music therapists.
At present Johanna works for Catholic Care and Hall & Prior as well as seeing clients through her own
business, Let The Music Play…
Johanna holds a Bachelor of Music degree from City University, London; a Graduate Diploma in Music
Therapy from UTS, Sydney and is currently working through a Bachelor of Dementia Care at University of
Tasmania.
Alexandra Morse
Alexandra is a registered music therapist, completing a Bachelor of Music Therapy at the
University of Queensland in 2007. Alexandra specialises in dementia care, supporting families through the
dementia trajectory with music therapy programs such as choirs for people with dementia and their
families, music technology including iPod and iPad programs, community and connection through music
programs, music in palliative care and intergenerational play through music. Since 2010 Alexandra has
been producing a diverse range of innovative arts and community development projects in aged care,
achieving national recognition in arts and health, most recently directing the Meander
Valley Festival of Creative Ageing in 2016 and 2017. Alexandra provides education and consultancy to
aged care staff, focusing on person centred lifestyle programs and frequently presents work at national
conferences, including the Aged Care Quality Agency
Conference 2017 Melbourne, ‘Creative Ageing – Engaging community, changing culture, raising
expectations and challenging the ‘ageing well’ concept, 17th Alzheimer’s Australia
Biennial National Dementia Conference Melbourne, 2017, Intergenerational Music Play
Project – A celebration of musical connection between young and old.
27AMTA2018 – PDS ABSTRACTS
Jeannette Harvey
Jeannette Harvey is an Occupational Therapist who has worked in the Age Cared Sector for nearly 40
years, in Residential Aged Care Facilities and Community and Rehabilitation Teams. She has 21 years of
experience working in an Aged Care Assessment Team, employed by NSW Health. She has been an RMT
for 9 years and completed her master’s degree in music therapy at UTS in 2012. Her aged care Music
Therapy work has been in RACF’s, a day centre, and providing home-based sessions for people with
dementia and their carers. Jeannette feels optimistic that there are avenues for RMT’s to become
providers under the Commonwealth Government’s My Aged Care system and through NSW Health,
alongside other allied health services. She is passionate about promoting Music Therapy and creating
networks and within the Health System for the benefit of our elderly population. She has found a satisfying
balance in her part time work in ACAT with developing early childhood intervention and community music
programs. She partners with Schools as Communities Centres, Non-Government Organisations and NSW
Health staff within the Sydney area. She thrives on these collaborations and adapting her programs for to
fulfil needs. One of her hopes is that we can create opportunities for those at the beginning and end of life
to engage with and benefit from each other.
Elizabeth Benedict
Elizabeth has worked at Montefiore Residential Care as part of the Creative Therapy team for the past 11
years. Her passion and area of special interest lies with those people who have dementia. Her expertise is
in being receptive to the 'meeting point' that stimulates communication, engagement and memory, while
facilitating meaningful interaction and connection.
She holds a Bachelor of Music from the Royal Northern College of Music, UK, and spent many years
teaching children and adults in schools and in her own private practice, as well as playing in
orchestras. On moving to Australia, she worked in a Steiner setting for Adults with special needs and this
prompted her to change musical direction and undertake postgraduate study in Music Therapy at UTS.
This Q&A session hopes to explore how RMTs are responsive and flexible to meet the ever-changing
needs of community and residential aged care service providers, the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency,
consumers and their families. With the introduction of Australian government's draft aged care quality
standards and a greater focus on consumer choice, how can Music Therapists maximise the opportunities
in supporting consumer's independence, health, wellbeing and quality of life? We would also like to have
conversations around our music therapy sessions in practice and managing expectations of residents,
management, families and self.
28AMTA2018 – PDS ABSTRACTS
Spice Up Your Guitar Playing and Improvising
Ann Lehmann1
1
Wollongong Conservatorium
Harbour Bridge Room, September 14, 2018, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Biography:
Ann Lehmann-Kuit (RMT) is an engaging facilitator, music therapist, teacher and performer. She has a
passion for connecting through music and enjoys developing creative networks in the community
facilitating children and adults’ creative processes.
Ann is passionate about teaching guitar and improvisation, inspiring students to become flexible and
creative musicians. She is a guest lecturer at WSU for the Masters of Creative Music Therapy and is a
casual tutor for the music undergraduate program at the University of Wollongong. She has taught guitar
at the Wollongong Conservatorium for 25 years where she also runs music therapy sessions.
‘Spice up your guitar playing and improvising’ will cover a range of different strumming and
accompaniment styles to let you get creative with what you already know. This session is aimed at
beginner through to intermediate level guitarists.
This practical workshop will cover energising styles like funk, rock, reggae, fandango and tarantellas as
well as the blues and more gentle accompaniment styles that create space for vocal improvisation. We’ll
look at informing your playing with bass lines and explore simple approaches to chord progressions to
spice up your improvising.
We will have some spare guitars available but please bring along your guitar if possible.
29AMTA2018 – PDS ABSTRACTS
So You Want To Run Your Own Music Therapy Business/Clinic?
Iani Sujono1 and Rob Devlin1
1
Sound Expression
Opera House Room, September 14, 2018, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Biography:
Iani Sujono
Iani is a Senior Registered Music Therapist with over 19 years’ experience and she is a Director of Sound
Expression. Iani has worked with numerous clinical populations in many different settings. She founded
Sound Expression in 2000. In 2001 she was invited by Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia to join
their team and she was an integral part, as Operations Manager, of growing their business to 500 clients
per week. Iani then re-established her Sound Expression business in late 2015 and has successfully grown it
into a very busy clinic with 3 workrooms and 5 RMTs servicing 140 clients through private, HCWA and
NDIS funding.
Rob Devlin
Rob is a Senior Registered Music Therapist with over 10 years’ experience and he is a Director of Sound
Expression. Rob has also worked with numerous clinical populations in many different settings. He was
previously Senior Music Therapist and Head of Business Development for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy
Australia, overseeing it grow to servicing over 700 clients per week. He joined Iani at Sound Expression in
2017 where his role is divided between clinical work and new business development initiatives.
Our presentation will focus on our key learnings in establishing, managing and growing a busy music
therapy business or clinic. We will share with you how we have adapted our business to grow quickly to
servicing 140 individual clients.
We’ll keep it as practical and useful as possible – so whether you are a sole practitioner, a contractor
working for other organisations or already running your own clinic, there will be plenty of information
and tips that you can take home and adapt for your own use.
Topics that we will touch on include:
• Developing your vision and clarifying your sense of purpose - refining your niche
• Developing flexibility and adaptability
• The balancing act of “wearing many hats” (RMT, Business owner, Planner/Strategist, Supervisor,
Administrator, Bookkeeper, Business Development, HR, Cleaner)
• Business planning and knowing your numbers – Budget / Profit & Loss / Cashflow
• Marketing your business
• Systemising your business
• Staffing – the most challenging element of any business
• Risk management – financial risk and business risk
It will be an impactful and practical workshop, so come along for some fresh ideas and strategies on how
to grow your music therapy business
30AMTA2018 – PDS ABSTRACTS
Mental Health Q&A Session
Kate Aitchison1, Jennifer Bibb2, Linda Blyth3 and Talitha Evans4
1
Children’s Health Queensland, 2University of Melbourne & St. Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, 3South West Allied
Therapies
Sydney Tower Room, September 14, 2018, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Biography:
Kate Aitchison
Kate Aitchison is a registered music therapist with 13 years’ experience providing therapeutic services across the
lifespan, in a variety of settings. She completed her music therapy training in 2005, and obtained a Master of Mental
Health, psychotherapy in 2013. In 2008 Kate began employment with Child and Youth Mental Health Services
(CYMHS) in Brisbane. Since then, she has worked in acute inpatient settings, consultation liaison and intensive
outpatient programs.
In 2009, Kate ran a CYMHS-based program for children under 4 and their primary care-giver focussing on healthy
attachment and bonding, in conjunction with Heart Kids and Sing & Grow. She also ran a pilot project with Dr
Genevieve Dingle, University of Queensland. The manualised program, Tuned In, is based on Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy (CBT) principles. It utilises music listening in a group setting to evoke and process emotions. Kate currently
works with adolescents with chronic and complex mental health needs in a CYMHS day program. She is also
undertaking her PhD, focusing on music therapy assessment with adolescents in mental health settings.
Jennifer Bibb
Jen is a senior RMT at St Vincent’s Mental Health Service and Peninsula Mental Health Service in Victoria, working
within inpatient and community mental health settings. Jen is Mental Health Representative for the Industry
Engagement Committee for the AMTA. She completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2016 on the role of
group singing in mental health recovery and works now within the music therapy team at the University of
Melbourne as the student coordinator of breadth subjects Music Psychology and Music and Health. As well as
continuing research and clinical work as an RMT in this area, Jen has also recently begun working as an Eating
Disorders Clinician within the Body Image Eating Disorders Treatment and Recovery Service (BETRS) at St. Vincent’s
Hospital.
Linda Blyth
Linda Blyth is a Registered Music Therapist and Occupational Therapist with 32 years clinical experience working
across the lifespan in diverse community based government, non-government and private settings, with
specialisation in recent years with children, young people and adults with sensory modulation, attachment trauma
and co-morbid mental health issues and their families. Based in regional city of Bunbury in WA for 20 years, Linda
has worked in government adult community mental health and CAMHS teams, Disability Services Commission, in
private practice with contracts in aged-palliative care and paediatrics. She currently works in two part-time positions:
as an OT in a children’s services agency supporting foster families with children in out of home care; and as a Senior
OT and RMT in an allied health private practice with clients ranging in age from 2 yrs through to 92 years.
Talitha Evans
My name is Talitha Evans and I am an RMT who graduated from a Bachelor of Music and then my Masters of CMT in
2010 at WSU. Since then I have developed a music therapy program in the Salvation Army which is located across
multiple locations providing opportunity for access to music therapy for a free or discounted rate, for those who
other wise wouldn’t be able to afford it. I have also worked in a large variety of facilities and with a vast variety of
client population groups, and am currently working at Redbank House, which is a child and adolescent mental health
hospital in Westmead. As well as work, I am happily married and a mum to my beautiful little girl, Elsie. I am
passionate about music therapy and excited to have the opportunity to talk to you.
This Q&A panel will begin an important discussion around the future of music therapy work in mental
health care. Where do music therapists fit in hospital and community mental health contexts? What kind
of jobs do we have in these areas? Where do we fit within contemporary recovery-oriented practice?
What are the challenges of working within this setting and how can we minimise these? What additional
training is helpful for working in this setting? A range of perspectives from experienced RMTs working
within child, adolescent and adult mental health contexts around Australia will be offered. Questions and
contributions to discussion are encouraged.
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