1. Authenticity: Valuing genuine connections with our clients and our team. Being true to ourselves and transparent in what, how and why we do things.

2. Curiosity: Embracing innovation, open-mindedness, and adaptability. Encouraging questions and creativity.

3. Joy: Fostering a supportive environment and celebrating wins. Facing challenges with a sense of optimism and resilience.

What is music therapy?
Music therapy is a research-based allied health profession. Registered music therapists (RMTs) use music as a therapeutic tool to support people to improve their quality of life in areas including:
- Speech and communication.
- Social skills.
- Mood and emotion.
- Physical function, gross and fine motor skills.
- Cognition.
- Behaviour.
Music therapy is suitable for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. RMTs work in private practice, health and hospitals, early childhood intervention, schools, community settings, aged care, disability, and mental health settings.
We work alongside people with disability; mental health illnesses; ADHD; dementia; neurodegenerative conditions; stroke or brain injury; and autistic people.

How can music therapy help?
Research shows that music therapy can help across a range of areas.

Communication and speech: verbal and non-verbal communication; develop expressive and receptive language; improve physical speech function and articulation.

Social skills and identity: increase social interaction and social communication skills; increase choice; develop a sense of empowerment, purpose and agency.

Mental health: reduce stress or anxiety; increase motivation and energy; manage anger and regulate moods; manage challenging behaviour.

Body movement and function: improve gross and fine motor skills; increase balance and coordination; improve physical independence.

Cognitive function: improve self-awareness and emotional self-regulation; support planning and problem solving; increase attention and memory.

Who are Registered Music Therapists (RMTs)?

Registered music therapists (RMTs) have completed a certified university course in music therapy and are registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association. RMTs are skilled musicians and are also trained to understand the effects that music can have on a person’s behaviours, thoughts and feelings. We use our therapy training to deliver musical experiences that help people achieve their goals.

RMTs undertake ongoing professional development to maintain and update their skills. There are almost 800 RMTs across Australia and the two-year Masters degree in Music Therapy is offered at The University of Melbourne and The Western Sydney University.

Fees

Our fees are based upon the most recent NDIS price guide of $193.99/hour. Fees are the same for NDIS and Private paying clients.

All fees are GST inclusive except sessions for children under 7 years and sessions conducted in a government-funded residential facility.

Session and Report Fees

Standard session (60 mins) $193.99

Face-to-face therapy 50 mins; planning, evaluation, and documentation time 10 mins minimum

Short session (45mins) $145.49

Face-to-face therapy 35 mins; planning, evaluation, and documentation time 10 mins minimum

Report writing $193.99/hour Capped at two hours maximum

Travel Fees

According to the NDIS Guidelines, we may also charge for travel time to your session. Although the Guidelines state we can charge at the hourly rate as above and also charge for kilometres, we have set our travel fees at a lower rate of $165.00/hour and will only charge for time travelled.

Travel fees are dependent on your location and where your therapist is coming from. We attempt to schedule appointments in neighbouring suburbs to keep travel charges low. Travel charges will be discussed with you before you commence services.

Rates are as follows:

10 minutes: $27.50

20 minutes: $55.00

30+ minutes: $82.50 (capped maximum)

All fees subject to change.

Cancellation Policy

Life happens and on occasion due to sickness, holiday or other personal reasons, a session may need to be cancelled.

Bridge Music Therapy’s Cancellation Policy is as follows:

• 50% charge for cancellations made 24 – 48 hours before the session.

• 100% charge for ‘no shows’ or cancellations made with 0 – 24 hours of the session.

And of course, if we can reschedule to another time, we will!

Do I need to be musical to benefit from music therapy?
Nope – not at all. Music therapists use musical interventions as a therapeutic tool to achieve a person’s goals. Being musical is not a requirement for benefiting from music therapy.

Is music therapy the same as music lessons or music entertainment?
The short answer is no! The slightly longer answer is…
Music therapy is the planned and intentional use of music to achieve therapeutic goals related to a person’s health, function, wellbeing and quality of life.
Music lessons focus on learning a practical skill – be it piano, singing or the kazoo – in which the outcome is an improved ability and skillset to play the chosen instrument.
Music entertainment is a more passive activity in which we listen to, watch (and sometime dance to) musicians or performers.

What should I expect in a session?
Music, merriment, and a few smiles along the way! Sessions also include interventions such as:
Playing instruments.
Singing.
Listening to music.
Composing music or songs.
Lyric interpretation or lyric subsitution.
Moving to music.
Music and relaxation.
Using apps and technology.

I’m a parent or carer. Can I sit in on the session?
Of course! Being part of the session can bring benefits to everyone involved - the person, the parent/carer and the RMT, especially in the early sessions as we are building a rapport and understanding of needs.

I don’t have NDIS funding. Can I still access services at Bridge?
Sure thing. The hourly rate is the same for people with or without NDIS funding.