Music Therapy

We’re so excited to now be implementing the only music therapy in Goulburn here at the Con!

Music therapy is an extremely valuable resource we are proud to provide to the region to improve both mental and physical health. In music therapy your therapist will use their expertise both as an experienced musician and tutor as well as their training as a therapist to create a musical experience that can improve cognitive performance, communication, physical functions, mood and social engagement as well as reduce anxiety and stress, regulate energy and increase motivation.

Bertie McMahon is a well-travelled music therapist, currently dividing his time between his new role as resident music therapist at Hume Conservatorium, with music therapist duties at the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, as well as his private practice in the Southern Highlands.
Bertie brings a wealth of experience to his music therapy practice, having had many and varied roles working in music, education, and disability support. With extensive experience as a performer and composer in all kinds of musical genres, Bertie has also been a music teacher, childhood music educator, community artist, special education teacher and adult disability support program worker. Having witnessed the way music-making can bring people ‘out of themselves’, can motivate and empower and connect, Bertie saw music therapy as a great way to use his musical skills to be of service to the community.

Music therapists aim to develop an individual’s capacity to express themselves and connect, and to use music in their everyday life to support their health and wellbeing. Music therapy can help people to reach their best potential, to enhance communication, emotional regulation, cognitive capacity, sensorimotor skills, creative expression & social engagement. Bertie has worked with a whole range of client populations: those identifying as autistic, neurodivergent, developmentally delayed; adolescents and adults with trauma and mental health issues; with aged-care residents and those with dementia; in hospitals with brain injury rehabilitation. Bertie’s music therapy sessions will see clients making music in whatever way suits their needs and interests – playing drums, singing, learning ukulele, keyboard, guitar, writing songs, composing game themes, dancing, storytelling, making music videos and much more. He is passionate about using creative play and improvisation in developing musical skills and expression. Bertie is also a multi-instrumentalist, with a few tech skills to help with recording and music production.

We acknowledge the traditional Custodians of this Land, where the Aboriginal People have performed age-old ceremonies of storytelling, music, dance and celebration. As a traditional meeting place, many first nations peoples came to this region. Underneath our buildings and roads this Land always will be traditional Aboriginal Land. in the same way, all music making genres and practices come from our musical elders, so we acknowledge those on whose skills and wisdom we draw.