What is Music Therapy: Insights from Registered Music Therapist Tanya Setyawan

1. What can someone expect to see or experience if they joined a music therapy session?
Each session allows you to explore different ways of engaging with music. We might listen to music to reflect on personal experiences, share our favorite songs with each other and curate a playlist together, or express ourselves through songwriting (with plenty of support!). These music and art therapy sessions are about connection—to ourselves, each other, and the music we create or experience.

You’ll also get to explore how music can be a resource for your health and well-being, whether through listening, creating, or making music together. There’s no pressure to perform or be "good" at music—just a chance to experience how music can support you in a way that feels right.

2. How does music therapy help people, and what are some of the benefits they might notice?
Music therapy can be a gentle entry point into the world of therapy, especially if traditional talk therapy feels daunting. We can use both verbal and nonverbal methods to explore and express our emotions. Sometimes, music brings out feelings and thoughts that might not emerge through conversation alone. In these sessions, you’re empowered to choose your level of participation—whether you prefer simply listening or actively creating music with the therapist's support.

Not only can music therapy deepen your emotional insight, but it can also teach you new ways to integrate music into your self-care routine, discovering how music can help—or not help—in different situations.

3. Is there a fun or surprising part of music therapy that you think people should know about?
One of the most surprising things about music therapy is how naturally it allows people to connect—not just with their emotions but also with others. Even if you don’t consider yourself “musical,” you might find yourself deeply moved by a song, discovering new meaning in lyrics, or feeling a sense of belonging just by making music in a group.

It’s also fascinating how music can bring out emotions or memories that we weren’t even aware of. Sometimes, a particular song can surface feelings from deep within, helping us process them in a safe and supported way. And, of course, there’s plenty of room for fun—whether it’s through improvising on an instrument, experimenting with songwriting, or just sharing the music that brings you joy.

4. What inspired you to pursue music therapy, and what do you love most about it?
Music has always been a powerful way for me to connect—with myself and with others. I’ve seen firsthand how music can help express what words can’t, offering comfort or even just the feeling of being heard. The idea that music could be used intentionally to support people’s well-being is what drew me to music therapy.

What I love most about it is how music offers something different to everyone. For some, music is the language they connect with—whether through listening, creating, or sharing it with others. No matter your background, music has a way of bringing people together, and it’s incredible to witness those moments of connection and growth.

If you are an Asian international student currently studying in Melbourne, and music therapy sounds like something you would like to try out, sign up for our Creative Community Care program here!

Sessions beginning on March 25th.