Sian Truasheim has stuck a chord with young people attending the Logan Adolescent Day Program (LADP) and it’s all thanks to her work as a music therapist.
Using the power of music, Sian helps young people connect, engage and take positive steps to improve their mental wellbeing.
Since LADP opened in 2021, Sian has been a core member of the team, witnessing the impact of music therapy every day.
With music able to activate the entire brain and body in deeply therapeutic ways, Sian sees its role in healthcare as essential.
“Music stimulates areas responsible for memory, emotion, movement and connection,” she said.
“Whether it’s a baby learning to feed in the NICU or a young person navigating emotional distress, music therapy taps into the brain’s natural plasticity to promote healing and regulation.”
In the LADP context, music often becomes a bridge when words feel out of reach.
“The biggest impact I see is when young people are so overwhelmed that they can’t speak about what’s going on or make choices to try other strategies just yet. Music listening or music making helps them reach a place where they’re ready to re-engage with others,” Sian said.
A typical day at LADP sees Sian facilitating both music therapy and general mental health groups. In group and individual sessions, music becomes a tool to explore emotional regulation, mindfulness, and resilience.
“I’m constantly impressed by how the young people here pick up music therapy strategies and make them their own,” she said.
“After learning about music strategies for energy and motivation, one young person told me that their music listening plan was one thing that got them to the program, ready to start another day of education and therapy.”
Beyond LADP, Sian also connected with music therapists across Queensland Health, her work contributing to a growing body of evidence-based practice and advocating for the value of music therapy statewide.
While music therapy is growing in reach and recognition, Sian said it’s still often misunderstood.
“People may think music therapy is only for people who are interested in music or aims to introduce people to music as a hobby or for fun. But music therapy is for everyone because we’re all wired for music!”
Music therapists use it like medicine, drawing on our knowledge of music, health and therapeutic frameworks alongside a person’s interest or enjoyment.”
Whether it’s striking the right chord on a tough day, lifting the tempo of a tired morning, or helping someone feel truly heard, music therapy is hitting all the right notes at LADP.
World Music Therapy Week runs from 7-11 April.