Music therapy is a research-based, allied health profession in which music is used to actively support people as they aim to improve their health, functioning and well-being. It can help people of all ages to manage their physical and mental health and enhance their quality of life.

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You don’t need to be musical to take part in or benefit from music therapy. Our GRS music therapists plan and provide musical experiences for their clients. Each session is tailored to the needs and goals of the client. Our music therapists are committed to supporting people of any age, ability or background. They work across the full age spectrum from newborn children through to older adults.

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Research has shown that music therapy can improve mental health and wellbeing. It can help:

• Reduce anxiety or stress

• Regulate mood and energy levels

• Increase motivation

• Manage anger and frustration

• Manage challenging behaviours.

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Research has shown that music therapy can improve speech, communication and social skills. It can help:

• Improve verbal and non-verbal communication

• Improve physical speech function

• Increase social communication skills

• Increase social interaction

• Increase independence

• Give positive and new ways to deal with situations.

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Research has shown that music therapy can improve body movement, coordination and physical function. It can help:

• Improve gross motor function and control

  • Gross motor skills are the larger movements you make with your arms legs, feet, or entire body.

• Improve fine motor function and control

  • Fine motor skills are the smaller movements you make using your wrists, hands, fingers, feet and toes.

• Improve balance

• Increase physical independence

• Help regulate heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure

• Improve respiratory muscle strength and control

• Improve sleep.

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Research has shown that music therapy can improve memory, attention, and cognitive function. It can help:

• Increase core executive functions: self-awareness, inhibition, non-verbal and verbal working memory, emotional self-regulation, self-motivation, planning, and problem solving

• Increase memory and attention.

 

Music therapy improves pain management

Research has shown that music therapy can improve the body’s ability to deal with pain. It can help:

• Reduce pain perception by increasing the body’s production of natural pain killers.

• Support faster recovery from medical procedures.