TIM

I’ve been working for Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Australia for just over 2 months now and I have to admit it’s been a bit of a whirlwind working here. The experience is second to none and has definitely been a huge but rewarding learning experience – it’s been an amazing opportunity for growth as a music therapist.
 

My therapy work load involves a mixture of things such as working in residential aged care, working with children and teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), working with adults with disabilities. I’ve also had the chance to run a unique 10-week program called intergen, a program to facilitate interaction between aged care residents and pre-school children. While all of my work has been fun and challenging I have to admit that my favourite work has been running the intergen program.
 

I think this has resonated with me because it is amazing to witness the pre-school children come out of their shells, shake off the shyness and become confident music makers who actively engaged with the elderly. I also was able to observe some of the biggest smiles possible on the residents, which makes all the harder moments in my week disappear in that instance. It’s great to hear from the staff at the facility that intergen has some of the highest levels of participation and engagement that they’ve ever seen.
 

To sum it all up this internship has been the most rewarding experience so far, as I’ve learnt many new skills in a short amount of time and have been able to see the impact I am having to help people change and improve. Thank you for helping me to be able to do this.

ADAM

My first few months at Nordoff Robbins as a registered music therapist have been insightful, challenging, at times overwhelming but also a lot of fun.
 

I’ve learnt so much in such a short amount of time and I feel like my mind has been blown wide open. I have had the opportunity to work with a range of different populations from pre-school children to war veterans (both a first for me), along with aged care to adult disability populations.
 

There is so much that goes on behind the scenes as a music therapist that you may not realise such as report writing, fundraising events such as our quiz night and professional supervision and contact with other allied health professionals.
 

One of the funniest things that has happened in my time here so far would have to be the creative actions that young clients have come up with during our hello songs. To paint you a brief picture, one of the songs I use often involves singing “if you’re ready”, naming an action and then the client will carry out this action. Quite often I’ll throw it across to the client to choose action with some of the most memorable being “do ten push-ups”, “run around the room until you get tired” and one that will definitely stick with me “pinch your bottom”.
 

Another experience that I would refer to as simply “awesome” was with one client that I was lucky enough to work who is both legally blind and deaf. This client’s main interaction in the therapy room and to the music was through the sensation of touch and vibrations from some of our louder instruments. Seeing the profound effect that this had on him as well as the smile it put on his face was like nothing I’ve ever experienced before.