Rewire Music Therapy

Since 2017, Prof. Felicity Baker and music therapist, Matt Lewin, have been providing weekly music therapy sessions to members of a memory support group, as well as a group of hospital inpatients suffering from mental health disorders.

The memory support groups are based at the Sir William Hall, Heidelberg, and the Vasey House Bundoora retirement home. The program consists of a weekly 4-hour group session, conducted by Matt, who then offers individual contact on a needs basis.
Weekly music therapy sessions were also being conducted in 2017 at Ward 17 the inpatient facility at the Rehabilitation Hospital in Heidelberg. A weekly 4-hour session of song writing was conducted by one of our music therapists. This program was exceptionally well received and significant outcomes were observed.

This program has been ongoing since 2017, and was first funded by the Ivanhoe RSL whose initiative this program was. Sadly the second part of the music therapy program is on hold as funds were depleted.

The team at Rewire are currently searching for further funding to continue this program throughout 2019!

We believe that the provision of a Music Therapy program at the campuses in consideration under the supervision of Professor Baker would devolve into 3 stages for each venue falling broadly into 2 semesters the first being the assessment processes of Stage 1 and Stage 2 and the second the ongoing group Music therapy with the underlying program of individual sessions which are to be funded.

Stage 1 – The preliminary individual assessment.

The preliminary assessment process would involve a one on one 15 to 20 minute session with prospective participants to enable the Therapist to assess the individual needs of participants and to determine which of the available programs and groupings would best suit that individual. Particular attention would be paid to any deficits suffered by that individual, together with any emotional or psychological disorders present and or any social or social isolation issues which would need to be addressed.

Based on the number of participants being in the order of 20 at each campus it is estimated that the preliminary assessment stage would require a minimum of six hours at each campus.

Stage 2 – Group assessment program
Based on the preliminary assessment each participant will be allocated to a group for the group assessment program. This program will be conducted over a period of 12 weeks approximately, during which the therapist will evaluate the participants in more detail and provide a summary of that individuals ongoing needs.

At this time in the process, the Music Therapist will have been able to determine which of the participants at each campus would also benefit from additional individual sessions of about 15 to 20 minutes each. It is also expected that the Therapist will seek to correspond with the participants’ medical practitioner to propose an ongoing individual and or group program.

With the support of the Medical practitioner and in the event that the Medical practitioner recommends the program and is able to refer it to the Veterans Affairs Department for Department involvement and payment this will be done. These participants will thereafter also have individualized sessions once approved by the Department.

Stage 3- Ongoing group Music therapy
Thereafter stage three of the program progresses for the balance of the program namely some 12 weeks of one and one half hour weekly sessions for two groups at each of three campuses.

The expected outcomes after the completion of the initial program
Individual outcomes that will be achieved would be

  • enhanced coping
  • improved self-esteem
  • flourishing
  • improved relationships
  • personal insight into thinking
  • emotions and link to behavior
  • diminished social isolation
  • improved memory functionTailored specific Music Therapy programs for group and individuals will be developed for ongoing use.Individual funding will have been achieved for the residents at the participating campuses from the Department.

    Other facilities will introduce the program to their residents.

    Additional funding for introductory programs will be available from other organizations for additional facilities