Recording and Production Technology in Music Therapy: Transforming a Potential Disruptor into a Medium for Connection
Tracks
Stream Three
| Saturday, October 18, 2025 |
| 1:55 PM - 2:05 PM |
| Terrace Room 1&2 |
Overview
Thomas Hockey
Speaker
Thomas Hockey
Assistive Solutions Team Leader, Registered Music Therapist
Music Beat Therapy Services
Recording and Production Technology in Music Therapy: Transforming a Potential Disruptor into a Medium for Connection
Abstract
Music therapists have constantly adapted to evolving understandings of health and wellbeing, shaping and reshaping our approaches to music therapy in response to the needs of clients these past 50 years. In recent times this has included incorporating digital technologies, particularly the process of recording music with clients.
While the advancement and increased availability of recording equipment creates unique and individualised opportunities for working with clients, it also comes with its concerns and challenges. Music therapists have consistently highlighted a lack of training, experience and time as barriers to incorporating recording technology into their practice, and concerns have been raised that the technology may detract from the therapeutic relationship or disrupt the flow of sessions when equipment set-up and problem solving become the therapist’s focus.
This presentation explores how the author approached the task of addressing and overcoming these challenges, through the development of an in-clinic recording studio intended to be accessible not just to clients, but to their therapists as well. It explains how innovations such as custom-designed control panels, Plain English manuals, and visual guides can reduce the degree of knowledge and training required by users, and streamline the recording process.
Case examples demonstrate how these innovations have supported RMTs to incorporate recording technology into their practice where they previously would not have had the confidence or skills to, and highlight examples of clients who have been empowered to take on or share the role of ‘producer’ with their therapist.
Changing technology will continue shaping our profession’s path forward. In the right environment, with the right resources and supports in place, clients and therapists can engage together across all elements of the recording process, transforming a potential disruptor into a medium for connection and ensuring music therapy continues to make an even greater positive impact moving forward.
While the advancement and increased availability of recording equipment creates unique and individualised opportunities for working with clients, it also comes with its concerns and challenges. Music therapists have consistently highlighted a lack of training, experience and time as barriers to incorporating recording technology into their practice, and concerns have been raised that the technology may detract from the therapeutic relationship or disrupt the flow of sessions when equipment set-up and problem solving become the therapist’s focus.
This presentation explores how the author approached the task of addressing and overcoming these challenges, through the development of an in-clinic recording studio intended to be accessible not just to clients, but to their therapists as well. It explains how innovations such as custom-designed control panels, Plain English manuals, and visual guides can reduce the degree of knowledge and training required by users, and streamline the recording process.
Case examples demonstrate how these innovations have supported RMTs to incorporate recording technology into their practice where they previously would not have had the confidence or skills to, and highlight examples of clients who have been empowered to take on or share the role of ‘producer’ with their therapist.
Changing technology will continue shaping our profession’s path forward. In the right environment, with the right resources and supports in place, clients and therapists can engage together across all elements of the recording process, transforming a potential disruptor into a medium for connection and ensuring music therapy continues to make an even greater positive impact moving forward.
Biography
Tom is a Registered Music Therapist who works primarily with adults in the areas of disability and mental health. He is passionate about exploring the ways in which music technology and adaptive equipment can support people of all capacities to engage in meaningful music-making.
