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Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre
Wellness Centre
What is Wellness?
Wellness Centre Philosophy
Olivia's Vision
Look Good... Feel Better
Living With Cancer
Therapies
Cancer Support Group
Meditation
Relaxation
Music Therapy
Art Therapy
How you can help
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What is music therapy?
 Music Therapy is the planned and creative use of music to attain and maintain health and wellbeing. It utilises the properties and potential of music and its impact on the human being, either as a form of psychosocial and spiritual support, or as an adjunct intervention strategy to symptom management and nursing care.

People of any age or ability may benefit from a music therapy program, regardless of musical skill or background.

 Music Therapy Methods
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A variety of musical methods are used with patients and families at the Palliative Care Unit, including:
  • Song writing or lyric substitution: patients are able to express feelings, and create messages for loved ones through writing lyrics and music, with the assistance of the music therapist.
  • Listening to music: the music therapist can assist patients to listen to music of their preference in their room or in music therapy sessions.
  • Music and Imagery: the music therapist uses guided relaxation and specific classical music selections to assist patients to access symbolic language and personal coping strategies.
  • Singing and playing instruments: patients are assisted to play and/or sing to favourite or chosen music.
  • Music and relaxation: patients are assisted to use music as a tool to experience relaxation and stillness in the body, to enhance and enable sleep.
  • Song choice: patients make choices about music that is played/sung or provided by the music therapist, increasing feelings of control.
  • Songs and discussion: the music therapist and patient can have discussion through the use of songs and song lyrics, allowing the patient to identify with and express their personal experiences.
  • Improvisation: patients are assisted to play/sing spontaneously as a means of accessing and/or expressing feelings and emotions.

 What can music therapy achieve for patients?
 Choice and Control: Patients have the opportunity to define themselves through their choices (in life, in the moment) within the music therapy process.
Fulfilling Needs: Music may assist patients to explore their identity and provide a means through which to connect and communicate with family, friends, and carers.
Acknowledgement: Patients have the opportunity to express fears and/or connect to feelings associated with the symptoms, prognosis, procedures, and treatments associated with illness and/or death, through music therapy.
Empowerment: Music therapy can provide patients with the opportunity to focus on wellness (positive elements, coping strategies in life) as an alternative to a focus on illness.
Mastery: Patients can learn to control themselves and their environment, perceive less pain and anxiety, and increase self-esteem.

For more information please contact our Wellness Coordinator, Marg Shelley on 9496 3799 or email margaret.shelley@austin.org.au.



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