What to Expect in a Music Therapy Session

If you’ve never seen music therapy before, it can be hard to imagine what actually happens in a session. Is it like a music lesson? A counselling session? A group class?

On this page, I’ll walk you through:

what a typical music therapy session looks like
the kinds of musical activities we use during sessions
who I work with
where and how sessions take place

My aim is for you to feel informed and comfortable before you start.

What is a music therapy session?

Music therapy is a form of allied health where music is used in a structured, evidence-based way to support:

communication and language development
emotional awareness and regulation
social skills
fine and gross motor skills, as well as movement, coordination and motor planning
cognitive skills

What happens in a typical session?

Every individual is different, but many sessions follow a simple, predictable structure:

1. Arrival and check-in
We start by noticing how the participant is feeling – through a short chat, a piece of music, movement, or, when appropriate, our “Hello Song”.

2. Session activities
The main goal-based activities take place here. Some are planned, and some are more spontaneous or intuitive, responding to the participant’s needs and wishes during the session.

3. Winding down
We gradually bring the session towards a close, providing opportunities for regulation through music-based relaxation activities.

4. Closing
We finish in a consistent way – perhaps with a “goodbye song” when appropriate, reflection, or a short summary of what we did and what we might focus on next time.

Within this structure, there is a lot of flexibility. Some sessions are energetic and playful; others are quiet and reflective. We adjust this together based on your needs on the day.

What might we do in sessions?

Here are some of the musical experiences we might use together:

Playing instruments
Using drums, percussion, guitar, piano, chimes, music-based digital apps, and other instruments to explore rhythm, turn-taking, choice-making, coordination and expression.
Singing and vocal work
Singing familiar songs, using call-and-response, or simple vocal sounds to support communication, confidence, breathing and regulation.
Songwriting and lyric work
Creating new original songs or adapting lyrics to express thoughts, feelings, memories or experiences in a safe, guided way.
Music and movement
Combining beat, rhythm and melody with movement to support walking, reaching, balance, self-expression, motor planning or body awareness.
Listening and reflection
Listening to preferred or carefully chosen music for relaxation, reminiscence, emotional processing or discussion.
Structured musical games
Musical games can support turn-taking, waiting, following directions, making choices, and interacting with others.

The participant doesn't need to be “good at music” for any of this. My role is to shape the music and session structure so it feels accessible, safe and useful.

Who I work with

I work with children, adolescents, adults and older adults, including people who are:

NDIS participants
living with developmental delay or disability
neurodivergent
living with intellectual disability
living with acquired brain injury or neurological conditions
living with dementia or other neurodegenerative conditions
managing mental health conditions
experiencing complex sensory and physical needs

For each person, I adjust:

the goal-based music therapy plan
the types of music used and volume
how much structure vs flexibility we have
who else is involved (family, carers, staff)

So the session suits their age, preferences, sensory profile and goals.

Do I need to be musical?

No – you do not need:

music lessons
experience with instruments
to sing in tune
to know any songs

Many participants I see have never played an instrument before. That’s completely okay.

Participants can choose to engage actively (singing, playing, moving) or more receptively by listening.

Where do sessions take place?

Resonance Music Therapy is a mobile practice servicing people across Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.

I offer:

home visits
sessions in schools, aged care and community settings (by arrangement)
online music therapy Telehealth sessions, where appropriate

We can discuss the setting that suits you best – for example, at home for comfort and familiarity, or in another environment that fits your or your child's supports.

How long and how often are sessions?

Individual music therapy sessions are 60 minutes in length.

In most cases, I recommend weekly sessions. Meeting weekly helps build consistency, therapeutic rapport and momentum, and allows us to gradually deepen the work we do in sessions.

If needed, the frequency of sessions can be reviewed over time in line with the participant’s goals, energy and funding, but weekly sessions are usually the most effective starting point.

What happens in the first session?

In the first session, the focus is on:

getting to know the participant and building rapport
understanding the participant's strengths, needs, and preferences
observing how the participant responds to different types of music and instruments
starting to identify and prioritise goal areas

How to get started

If you’d like to explore music therapy:

Call 0498 467 379 or use the contact form
Share a little about your/your child's needs, goals, and supports
We can then plan the initial session, location (home / online) and how music therapy will sit alongside your other supports

If you have NDIS funding, you may also like to read the NDIS & Funding page to see how music therapy can sit within your plan.