To quote Dame Julie Andrews from her iconic role as Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music, “Music —what a powerful instrument, what a mighty weapon!”
She wasn’t kidding.
The Sound of Music, and its accompanying memorable soundtrack, is based on the true story of Maria Von Trapp in her role as governess to seven children. It amassed a fan-following in the millions world-wide and it’s not hard to see why.
The film’s songs are so iconic and symbolised that no matter how difficult a feat, one truly can Climb Every Mountain. Especially, perhaps, with a little help from the sound of music.
More than 50 years since the film graced the big screen, music therapy is an official allied health service within five Hospital and Health Services across the state, but one that doesn’t get a lot of airtime.
Music therapists work in a range of settings including children’s services, mental health, rehabilitation and palliative care units, and community-based care.
Music therapy includes listening to music, talking about music’s meaning, playing instruments, songwriting, singing, improvising, and composing music to help patients of all ages achieve their health goals.
It is paired with other mental health strategies such as relaxation, memorising tips and tricks, using musical metaphors, or reflecting on what it’s like to participate in these activities as part of a treatment program.
These activities and strategies work together to improve mood, emotions and coping skills, physical health, social connection, communication and behaviour, and spiritual health.
For Music Therapist Sian Truasheim from the Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services Logan Adolescent Day Program, music therapy is more than just a fun exercise.
“In music therapy, music is used not simply because it sounds nice or is fun, although those things do encourage engagement, but because of the way music activates certain circuits in our brains and bodies,” Sian said.
“With music therapy, we can effectively utilise these responses to support our participants, from babies learning to feed in the NICU, to elderly people rebuilding their speech after a stroke, or in my case – with young people when they feel overwhelmed or shut down.”
Sian Truasheim, a Music Therapist from the Logan Adolescent Day Program at Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services.
“Music gives therapy participants an advantage by leveraging these connections and the neuroplasticity of our brains to remediate or compensate for challenges with their cognition, communication, movement, or emotional distress.
“It’s a truly effective therapy, and one that is built on evidence.”
Sian said she’s struck a chord with young people attending the Logan-based program, and it’s not hard to understand why.
“I’m sure lots of us have felt these processes in action in everyday ways such as music connecting to our emotions, helping us remember a phone number, moving our bodies to a beat, or connecting with friends over car karaoke on a road trip,” she said.
The Creative Room at Logan Adolescent Day Program, Metro South Hospital and Health Service.
“I’m constantly so impressed by how the young people here choose to pick up music therapy strategies and use them in their recovery.”
“After learning about music strategies for energy and motivation, one young person told me that their music listening plan was one thing that got them to the program, ready to start another day of education and therapy.”
“For another young person, I watched them begin to build insight into their music use until they were ready to stop listening repetitively to a song that made them feel worse, instead choosing to try other music that could shift their mood.”
“The biggest impact I see is when young people are so overwhelmed that they can’t speak about what’s going on or make choices to try other strategies just yet, but they can still use music listening or music making to reach a place where they’re ready to reconnect with others.”
For Sian, music therapy practice goes deeper than many first imagine. And for the young people she’s assisting, the positive impact it’s having is clear.
“I run several therapy groups here, both music therapy and general mental health groups, working with young people to achieve goals such as having a deeper understanding of their emotions, building connections with others, and expanding the tools in their toolkit to improve their mental health,” she said.
A recording studio at Logan Adolescent Day Program, Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Service.
“In music therapy groups, we experientially practice skills such as mindfulness, self-advocacy and emotion regulation within the group process and using music.”
“Outside of group times, I support young people to use these strategies individually or during difficult times.”
“I always seek to understand each young person, how best to support them, and how to collaboratively bring together our other professionals to do this.”
“What’s exciting is that I also have opportunities to connect with music therapists across Queensland Health. Together, we continue to support the implementation of evidence-based music therapy practice across the state, to improve health outcomes for all Queenslanders.”
Music therapy is currently provided as part of allied health services within Metro South, Metro North, Children’s Health Queensland, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Services.