Music Therapy Now Funded for Older Australians

Great news for older adults in Australia! Music therapy is now included as a funded allied-health service under the Support at Home (SAH) program. This means eligible clients can access professional, evidence-based music therapy in their own homes.

Music therapy is a clinical service delivered by a registered music therapist. It can help older adults maintain or improve cognitive function, emotional wellbeing, and social connection, supporting them to stay living independently at home for longer.

Under SAH, you can benefit from personalised, goal-focused music therapy sessions designed around your needs, abilities, and interests. Whether it’s gentle instrument playing, singing, songwriting, or rhythmic movement, every session aims to enhance your wellbeing and engagement.

Click the link to learn more about how music therapy can support older adults and how to access sessions.

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Feel Better Music Therapy Wins Maroondah Council Grant

We are thrilled to announce that Feel Better Music Therapy has been selected as a recipient of the Maroondah Council 2025/26 Arts and Cultural Grants Program.

Our project, Melodies and Memories, has been awarded funding to deliver a group music therapy program for people living with dementia and their carers in the Maroondah community.

The program will be delivered in partnership with Caladenia Dementia Care, where participants and their loved ones can enjoy meaningful musical engagement designed to foster connection, joy, and emotional wellbeing.

The Arts and Cultural Grants Program aims to enhance community participation, bolster local identity, and elevate the arts in Maroondah through inclusive and creative initiatives.

This program is supported by the Maroondah Council and delivered in partnership with Caladenia Dementia Care.

Effective Music Therapy Strategies for ADHD

Living with ADHD often means navigating challenges with attention, self-regulation, and emotional overwhelm, not just for children, but adults too. As a music therapist, I’ve seen how music can become a powerful ally in finding calm and focus.

Recently, I had the opportunity to write about this topic for ADDitude Magazine, one of the most trusted resources in the ADHD community. The article explores practical ways music can be used at home or in therapy sessions to support regulation, improve attention, and promote a sense of emotional balance.

Read it here: 4 Ways to Harness the Soothing Power of Music

In the piece, I share strategies like:

  • Using rhythm to help with transitions and attention
  • Calming playlists for emotional regulation
  • Engaging musical games that support executive function

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or adult with ADHD, there are simple ways to integrate music into daily life that don’t require any special training or equipment.

If you’re curious about how music therapy might support you or your child, this article is a great starting point.

Looking for more personalised support?
Feel free to get in touch — I’d be happy to chat about how music therapy could help in your unique situation.

PhD Research Published: Empowering Families Through Music Therapy

I’m thrilled to share that my PhD research has been published in the renowned ‘Arts in Psychotherapy’ journal, a leading publication in the field of therapeutic arts. In this article, I explore how families of children with disabilities can be empowered to independently create music with their child at home, offering practical strategies and insights that can enhance their everyday lives.


As someone deeply passionate about this area of research, I am excited to contribute to the ongoing conversation around supporting families through music therapy. My work centers on providing families with the tools and knowledge they need to use music as a powerful, therapeutic medium in their own homes, fostering connection, creativity, and communication. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to share this work with a wider audience, and I’m excited to see how it can inspire and support families on their journey.


The article is available to read and download for free by clicking this link: The Arts in Psychotherapy.

2024 NDIS Changes: Music Therapy Still Supported

Music therapy has always been and continues to be a NDIS Funded Support.

In late November 2024, the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) was made aware of a leaked decision to remove music therapy as a NDIS support in the absence of any consultation.

After sustained advocacy by participants, the AMTA and music therapy professionals, the NDIA has acknowledged that due process was not followed and they will be conducting a review of the evidence for music therapy in 2025.

Music therapy is supported by a strong evidence base and delivers significant functional outcomes for participants. Music therapy professionals who deliver this therapeutic support are university-qualified and meet the stringent registration and ongoing compliance requirements set out by the AMTA as a member of the National Alliance of Self Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP).  

Music therapy will continue to be a funded support under NDIS till the review is completed.

Read about the NDIA Announcement of the Review

Sign the Petition to Keep Music Therapy in the NDIS

Got any further questions? Feel free to Get in Touch

Exploring Personal Soundtracks: How Music Shapes Us

Think about the last time you were at a traffic signal. Did the person in the car next to you have the same soundtrack to their day as you did? Were they enjoying their music as much as you were? These moments remind us how varied our musical preferences can be.

Our musical tastes are shaped by a myriad of factors: the songs our parents played, the songs our friends loved, and the songs that defined our teenage years. Each of these influences contributes to our unique soundtracks.

Emotional reactions to music are deeply personal. For some, Vivaldi’s “Spring” helps them relax, while others may prefer, Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” .

Our emotional reactions to music are also personal. One person may prefer listening to ‘Spring’ by Vivaldi to relax, while another may prefer ‘Nothing Else Matters’ by Metallica.

Music is personal. Classical music isn’t more therapeutic than popular music. It is a person’s personal musical preferences that dictate what music they find therapeutic.

If you’re looking for ways to unwind, consider curating your own personal playlist filled with the music that resonates with you. Whether it’s classical, rock, pop, or something else entirely, the most therapeutic music is the kind that speaks to you. Embrace what you love, and let it guide you to relax!

Music Therapy: A Unique Approach to Ailments

When someone has a headache, a medical doctor might prescribe paracetamol or Panadol to relieve the pain. But what if we consider why the headache occurred in the first place? Could it be due to financial stress, relationship issues, physical ailments, work pressures, or even the weather?

In the realm of music therapy, the approach to addressing ailments differs significantly. Unlike prescribing a specific medicine for a headache, music therapists don’t prescribe particular songs or genres to alleviate conditions. Why? Because the effects of music are deeply personal—what relaxes one person might agitate another, much like how one person might find solace in Metallica while another prefers Mozart.

Instead, music therapists use music as a tool to explore and address the underlying causes of ailments. Through techniques like musical improvisation or songwriting, therapists provide a medium for individuals to express and process their emotions. This process, known as catharsis, allows clients to delve into their feelings through music, potentially uncovering and addressing the root causes of their ailments.

In essence, a registered music therapist does not prescribe music in the conventional sense. Rather, they utilise music as a therapeutic medium to understand and work with the underlying conditions that may contribute to ailments. Through this approach, music therapy offers a unique and holistic perspective on health and well-being.

Why Music Therapy is Essential for Emotional Wellbeing

Do you like listening to music?

Why?

Music is a non-verbal language that stimulates our emotions.

Experiencing the impact of music simply requires listening, without needing to actively engage. Music therapists can take this a step further by using live music to attune to individuals and assist in their emotional expression.

Therefore, if you feel that music works as a therapy in your own life……music therapy works too!

Why Music Therapists Are Skilled Musicians

When I receive inquiries about my music therapy services, I’m often asked, “Do you play any musical instruments?”

The answer is a resounding “Yes!”

Music therapy is a Masters Degree level program that demands a high level of musical proficiency for admission. Before embarking on their music therapy training, all music therapists must first achieve a solid foundation as accomplished musicians.

For Example: I hold a ‘Licentiate Teaching Diploma in Electric Guitar’ from the London College of Music. This credential, akin to a bachelor’s degree in musical proficiency, exceeds the standards of Grade 8 music exams, with a rigorous pass rate of about 20% annually. To qualify, I dedicated myself to mastering over 1000 scales and chords, performing live improvisations based on chord charts, and accurately playing back any guitar phrase upon hearing it. I spent 6 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 3 years honing these skills.

Listen to my albums: I’ve personally played, recorded, and arranged all the instruments on each track.

Music Therapists Use Live Music: This allows us to tailor the music to precisely fit the needs of the individuals we work with.

In summary: Music therapists aren’t just highly skilled musicians; they’re also adept at using music as a therapeutic tool.

By choosing a music therapist, you’re not just getting someone who plays music recordings—you’re receiving a personalised, live music experience.

Success of Online Music Therapy: Ajay’s Impact

Since 2020, Ajay has been pioneering the online use of group music therapy in New Zealand. He has worked closely with IHC, a national organisation that supports disabled children, young people and their families. These sessions have been highly successful. He has carried out over 200 online sessions to date. Each session is attended by 5-20 participants. These online sessions are now offered in Australia.

Click here to read an an article about Ajay’s online work with IHC. (The article features Ajay artist name, Ahjay Stelino).