Music Therapist

Of all the forms of therapy, music therapy holds a special place in supporting adolescent growth and development
Jukko Tervo 2005

Since graduating in 2003 with a Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy from University of Queensland, St Lucia, GETANO has been working as a Registered Music Therapist. GETANO specialises in working with Adolescents issues which include: addictions, self esteem, anger, trauma, grief and loss, mental health. "I enjoy the challenges of working with this age group as it is a significant and profound stage in all our lives. I have worked as a music therapist in number of different settings, situations and environments from Prisons, Youth Centres, in Schools with Refuge children, Flexible Learning Centres, Detox Units, Hospitals, Respite Centres, small island communities, community Centres and kindergartens".

What is Music Therapy?

The Australian Music Therapy Association describes Music therapy as an allied health profession practised throughout Australia and in more than 40 countries around the world. It is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and well-being, and may address physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals within a therapeutic relationship.

Music therapy focuses on meeting therapeutic aims, which distinguishes it from musical entertainment or music education. People of any age or ability may benefit from a music therapy program, regardless of musical skill or background.

A Music Therapist can provide emotional support and quality of life for children, adolescents and their families through the following therapeutic techniques:

• Live music vocal, guitar, piano
• Lyric Analysis
• Songwriting/Improvisation
• Progressive relaxation
• Guided Imagery
• Music Appreciation
• Reflective listening

A survey conducted in 1998 with the American Music Therapy Association Membership indicated that music therapists assisted and aided children in the following areas (in order of frequency):

• developmentally disabled
• behaviourally disordered
• emotionally disturbed
• physically disabled
• school age population
• multiply disabled
• speech impaired
• autistic
• visually impaired
• neurologically impaired
• hearing impaired
• substance abuse
• abused or sexually abused
• early childhood
• dual diagnosed
• head injured

Other areas where music therapists work include children with eating disorders, Downs Syndrome, self harm, premature birth and neonatal needs, aged care, children with Rett Syndrome, special education units, refugee children, literacy, bereavement, spinal cord injury, AIDS, burns, medical needs, Williams Syndrome and sometimes leisure activities for non-disabled children. For further information on Getanos services and fee structure, please contact Getano via email at getano@getanobann.com.au

References

Australian Music Therapy Association website http://www.austmta.org.au

Cassity, M. D. & Cassity, J. E. (2006). Multimodal psychiatric music therapy for adults. Adolescents, and children: a clinical manual, third edition London Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Hanser, S.B. (1999). The new music therapists handbook. Second edition. Berklee Press.

Tervo, J. (2005). Music Therapy with Adolescents, Voices Vol 5(1),

Wigram, T., Pedersen, I. N. & Bonde, L. O., (2002). A comprehensive guide to music therapy: theory, clinical practise, research and training. London Jessica Kingsley Publishers.