What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is a clinically informed, evidence-based practice in which music is used purposefully and relationally to support the emotional, psychological, social, and developmental wellbeing of children and adolescents. Unlike music education or recreational music making, music therapy is delivered by a trained clinician within a therapeutic framework — where the music itself becomes the medium through which feelings are expressed, relationships are built, and healing takes place.

For children and adolescents who struggle to articulate their inner experience through words alone, music offers a powerful and accessible alternative language. Through activities such as improvisation, songwriting, listening, and movement, children and adolescents are supported to explore and process emotions, develop self-regulation, build confidence, and strengthen their sense of identity and connection.

The Evidence Behind Music Therapy

Music therapy has demonstrated meaningful benefits across a broad range of mental health presentations in children and adolescents, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, emotional dysregulation, social isolation, and low self-esteem. A growing body of research supports its effectiveness — studies published in journals including the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy and the Journal of Music Therapy have reported significant improvements in emotional expression, behavioural regulation, and therapeutic engagement. Research by Gold, Wigram, and Voracek has highlighted its particular value for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, while work by Bradt and Dileo has explored its role in reducing anxiety in clinical settings.

It is important to acknowledge the limitations of the current evidence base. Many studies involve relatively small sample sizes, heterogeneous populations, and varied methodological approaches, making it difficult to draw broad generalisations. Standardised outcome measures across the field remain inconsistent, and more large-scale randomised controlled trials are needed to strengthen the evidence further. What the research does consistently point to, however, is that music therapy is a meaningful and well-tolerated intervention — particularly for children and adolescents who find traditional talk-based approaches difficult to access.

Meet Our Music Therapist — Gayeon Koh

Music therapy at Saga Psychology is provided by registered music therapist Gayeon Koh, whose clinical practice is characterised by genuine warmth, creativity, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of children and adolescents. Gayeon brings to her work a passion for meeting children and adolescents exactly where they are — using music as a bridge to connection, expression, and growth. Her clinical interests span a range of therapeutic approaches, reflecting a broad and integrative understanding of what different young people need at different moments in their therapeutic journey. Gayeon's work is informed by both rigorous training and a sincere belief in the capacity of every child and young person to heal and flourish when given the right conditions and the right support.
 
Long-Term Benefits and Who it Suits Best

The long-term benefits of music therapy extend well beyond the therapy room. Research and clinical experience suggest that children and adolescents who engage in music therapy over sustained periods develop stronger emotional literacy, improved self-regulation skills, greater resilience, and a more secure sense of self. These gains tend to be most pronounced when therapy is delivered consistently over time rather than as a brief intervention.

While music therapy can be beneficial across a wide age range — from early childhood through to late adolescence — it is often particularly transformative for younger children, for whom the non-verbal and playful dimensions of music are especially natural and engaging, and for adolescents navigating identity formation and emotional complexity, for whom music already holds deep personal significance.

Music Therapy for Children with Autism and Special Needs

Music therapy at Saga Psychology is also offered to children with special needs, including those with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities. For these children, music therapy can provide a uniquely accessible and affirming therapeutic experience — one that does not rely on verbal communication or abstract reasoning, but instead meets each child in a sensory, relational, and creative space where genuine connection and growth become possible.