"It's such a positive impact that it's difficult to quantify," Jane, Beth's mum
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In Memoriam: Clive Robbins (1927-2011), A Founder of Music Therapy Method

NYU Steinhardt mourns the loss of Clive Robbins, research scientist and founding director of NYU's Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy. He died on December 7, 2011.

2012 Workshops

The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre is once again offering a range of professional development workshops in 2012.  Please see the attached flyer for details and enrolment form.  Early enrolment is advised as spaces are limited.

Access our Services

Individual clients

If you would like to refer a child to the Centre, please fill in the attached Referral Form

• Referral  form pdf

What happens next?
Once a child or young person is referred to the Centre, a consultation takes place to assess the child's needs and the potential for music therapy to help them develop new skills and behaviours, and create new possibilities for their participation in the world.

If the parent and therapist together decide music therapy is the right clinical intervention, the child is placed on the waiting list until an appropriate session time becomes available.

Sessions are usually weekly, during term time (40 weeks a year), and are 30 to 40 minutes in length.

There is normally a six-session assessment period once music therapy begins. A Goals and Objectives plan is developed, in consultation with the parent and caregivers, and confirmed at the end of the assessment period.

Most sessions are one-on-one, or in small groups, depending on the child's needs.

The therapy process is supported by:

• Audio-visual recordings of most sessions. The therapist is then able to review sessions where necessary and view responses outside of the session
• Notes taken at each session, to record progress
• Input from the therapist into a child's IEP (Individual Education Programme)
• Liaison between the music therapist and the child's teachers, and other therapists and professionals
• Reports produced at about 6-monthly (20 session) intervals, measuring achievement and, where appropriate,  reassessing goals
• A closing report at the end of therapy, identifying goals achieved

Outreach programmes

The Raukatauri Centre is able to deliver Outreach programmes in Schools and other facilities.

Outreach sessions can be with individual children or in groups of up to four, depending on each child's needs.

Outreach sessions are weekly during term time and between 30-45 minutes in length.

Each child that attends a music therapy Outreach programme has:

• notes taken after each session to record their progress
• most sessions filmed, and footage reviewed as appropriate
• a twice-yearly written report on their progress
• input from the music therapist into the IEP process and liaison with teachers and other therapists, as appropriate

Our Registered Music Therapists would be considered part of a child's multi-disciplinary team and are happy to work alongside teachers and other professionals to achieve the best outcomes for each child. Working towards goals in a child's Individual Education Plan can be a key part of music therapy.

If your School or organisation would like more information on our Outreach programmes, please contact the Centre on (09) 3600 889

Parent and caregiver support

Parent and Caregiver Advisory Group

Being client-focused is crucial to the work at the Raukatauri Centre. That means not only focusing on the child, but on having good lines of communication with parents and caregivers as well.

The Centre has a Parent and Caregiver Advisory Group to inform, guide and support the work of the Centre. The group meets once a term, and there is plenty of friendly discussion. It is a great opportunity for Centre staff and parents and caregivers to have some quality time together.

If you would like to come along to a Parent and Caregiver Advisory Group meeting, please contact the Centre on (09) 3600 889 for details.

Parent Register

If you would like to talk to a parent whose child is attending music therapy, let us know. We have a register of parents and caregivers who are happy to be contacted to give other parents a little support or guidance. Just phone us on (09) 3600 889 and we can put you in touch with someone.

Professional development

We run professional development and educational events at the Centre throughout the year for teachers, parents, and health and other professionals.

Recent workshops include "Introduction to Music Therapy"  and "Using Music with Children with Special Needs".

If you would like information about upcoming workshops and professional development events, please phone the Centre on (09) 3600 889.