Southern Music Therapy

Southern Music Therapy We are a practice that specialises in using music to improve individuals' quality of life. Who is Music Therapy for? Improving communication e.g.

Music therapy is the planned use of music to assist the healing and personal growth of people with identified emotional, intellectual, physical or social needs. Music therapy uses the expressive elements of music as the primary means of interaction between therapist and client. Whatever your ability everyone can appreciate and respond to music and sound. Music therapists work with individuals

and groups and the methods vary according to the setting, clients needs and the theoretical approach of the music therapist. Music Therapists work with children and adults of all age ranges and needs, including those with learning disabilities, physical, emotional and psychological disorders and sensory impairments. Music Therapists work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, special schools, day centre’s, within communities, rehabilitation units and in private practice. Music Therapy and Neurological Disorder

Music is processed in many parts of the brain, which makes it an excellent tool for people living with a neurological disorder such as an acquired brain injury, Stroke, Huntington's, Parkinson's. Individual and group programmes are devised for assessment, neuro-rehabilitation, and to enhance quality of life. Typical reasons for referral
A person with a neuro-disability may require music therapy for maintenance and improvement of skills including:
Physical skills
Cognition and thinking skills
Emotional expression
Communication skills
Relating to others
Reducing stress, tension and anxiety


Music Therapy for someone living with a neurological disorder is effective in:

Facilitating self-expression and enhancing identity. Improving engagement and motivation to participate
Building confidence and improving mood. by making speech easier to understand through enhancing breath control, volume and articulation with singing. Extending movement and physical co-ordination

31/05/2026

Today is World MS Day 🫶

In partnership with our friends at Southern Music Therapy, we share the power of music to help make a difference for the members of our community with multiple sclerosis. Music is a powerful tool, and we believe it does the world a power of good.

Find out more about our Ki Te Hapori In The Community programme at https://cso.co.nz/hapori/

28/05/2026

Come join us for our next music roots. A community music therapy group for older adults, designed to foster connection, creativity and wellbeing through shared live music making.
“This was so worth leaving the house for”
“ first time I have pick up the guitar for years”
“ wow I was having so much fun I didn’t know how hard I was working”

Thanks to:
Braintree Wellness Centre Music Therapy New Zealand

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ArgPdGyFc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Sign up
https://www.smt.nz/newsandevents

We are so proud of be the Registered Music Therapists who have work with these lovely cantabrainers members for over 14 ...
13/05/2026

We are so proud of be the Registered Music Therapists who have work with these lovely cantabrainers members for over 14 years.

💙 Thank you to everyone who shared their voice in our recent survey.

Your feedback reminded us what makes Cantabrainers so special — connection, belonging, and the positive difference our choirs make for members and their whānau. For those visiting our page for the first time, it offers a glimpse into what being part of this community really feels like.

Members told us Cantabrainers is:

“A friendly and inclusive choir”
“A place where I feel safe and included”
“I’m achieving my therapy goals”
“More than singing — it’s the connection”
Enjoy Cantabrainers for "fun, fellowship, love, meeting folk"
“A real sense of accomplishment”
We’re incredibly proud of this community and grateful to everyone who helps make it possible — from our members and volunteers to our funders and supporters who enable this work to continue. 💙🎶

If you’re curious about joining, you’ll be warmly welcomed.

Email: gm@therapychoirs.org.nz for more information

06/05/2026

Happy NZSL week, yay

06/05/2026

We are so proud to celebrate New Zealand Sign Language Week.

We have been tagged by Aspire Canterbury this year to pass on the message.
Video of some members of SMT team signing
“Happy NZSL week, yay”

In music therapy, we value all the ways people express themselves, whether through music, movement, or sign. We enjoy learning NZSL and using sign in our sessions.

We would like to tag our friends at Music for Life to continue this message Music for Life

Hello lovely people, We have an exciting news from our lovely Grant and his music therapist, Kim who are doing a worksho...
27/04/2026

Hello lovely people,


We have an exciting news from our lovely Grant and his music therapist, Kim who are doing a workshop on the 4th of May at BrainTree as part of the Thrive series.

To find out more and support the event please see the poster and the below two links.

And help us to share this with people you think will be interested.

About EVENT😊
https://www.aspirecanterbury.org.nz/events/thrive-connect-2---chat-to-thrive


Register for Tickets
🎟️ https://events.humanitix.com/chat-to-thrive


Grant and Kim

Exciting to see our friends at the CSO back at Braintree Wellness Centre. Wednesday afternoons 1:30pm.
21/04/2026

Exciting to see our friends at the CSO back at Braintree Wellness Centre. Wednesday afternoons 1:30pm.

FLOURISH is back at BrainTree 🎻🪘

The CSO and BrainTree Wellness Centre invite senior members of our community to join this acclaimed multi-week programme.

Every Wednesday from 22 April to 10 June 2026, 1.30pm – 2.30pm

If you have a love of music, and are looking for ways to keep your brain healthy and active, this is for you!

Registrations are essential as spaces are limited - full details are below and we look forward to seeing you.

🚨SMT’s newest choir collaboration with Helen Anderson Trust (HAT) for adults with Intellectual Disability led by our mos...
13/04/2026

🚨SMT’s newest choir collaboration with Helen Anderson Trust (HAT) for adults with Intellectual Disability led by our most lovely registered music therapist, Esther Simpson. In celebrating Music Therapy Week, the HAT True Colours Choir’s journey got featured in The Press ✨What a beautiful milestone and Ka Pai Esther for pouring your energy into this collaboration! We would also like to share a special thanks to Lily Middleton to voice out the power of musical connection in the HAT community to a wider world.

For a full length article, check out The Press Website in the link here https://www.thepress.co.nz/culture/360979653/joyful-christchurch-choir-adults-intellectual-disabilities

10-15 April is the official Music Therapy Week across the globe 🌎Our theme this year is “Weaving Connections” 🍃 so come ...
01/04/2026

10-15 April is the official Music Therapy Week across the globe 🌎

Our theme this year is “Weaving Connections” 🍃 so come connect with us.

All Questions come with a FREE COFFEE!

✅Curious to know what music therapy is?
✅Want to know what happens in a session?
✅Questions about funding & referrals?
✅Keen to see our space & meet some of the team?

Come celebrate Music Therapy Week with us and ask us one of our therapists a question or 3!
you'll be joined by Registered Music Therapists: May Clulee, NZRMTh, Renata Kuswanto, NZRMTh and our director Kimberley Wade, NZRMTh at BrainTree cafe.

NO BOOKINGS required, just drop-in!

⏱️Tuesday, 14th April 2026 @ 1-2pm
📍BrainTree Wellness Centre Cafe
70 Langdons Rd, Papanui 🎶

Our SMT School Holiday Program is back for Term 2 on Tuesday, 14th April  Wellness CenterWe offered age-appropriate and ...
01/04/2026

Our SMT School Holiday Program is back for Term 2 on Tuesday, 14th April Wellness Center

We offered age-appropriate and live musical-based experiences, tailored by our Registered Music Therapists who were experienced in working with children and Specialist Education settings.
Whānau is welcomed to support, with limit of 1 support person for 1 individual.

Explore our options for different age groups and times:
Beat Buddies (Age 5-8 years old)
🔗Link to registration: https://www.smt.nz/event-details/beat-buddies-school-holiday-programme-2026

Groove Crew (Age 9-12 years old)
🔗Link to registration: https://www.smt.nz/event-details/groove-crew-school-holiday-program-2026-2026-04-14-15-00

Youth Rhythms (Age 13-18 years old)
🔗Link to registration: https://www.smt.nz/event-details/youth-rhythms-school-holiday-programme-2026-2026-04-14-16-00

Our programmes include, but not limited to:
✨Instrumental exploration that foster creativity, initiation and inhibition skills, shared space and musical experience
✨Interactive singing along, using media and means such as toys, story book & visuals that support literacy and expressive communication
✨Creative music making such as song writing, rhythm making, jamming to the beat
✨Building new connection and creating fun environment

🎶

Address

70 Langdons Road
Christchurch
8042

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

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