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An editorial is presented highlights the efforts of the Australian Journal of Music Therapy (AJMT) to increase accessibility and diversity, emphasizing the importance of nurturing the journal as the only academic publication for music therapists in Australia. The focus is on diversifying the journal's content, making processes accessible for a wide range of voices and introducing initiatives such as case reports, an Associate Editor role for practice-based articles.

The music therapy profession has grown in size and recognition within Australia since it was established over 40 years ago. It is therefore important to understand the needs of the profession and its future development in Australia. Recent international and Australian-based studies report that although music therapists generally experience their work as personally rewarding, and have a positive outlook for the field's future, stress related to advocacy and low rates of pay were identified as ongoing issues. To further explore this topic, rich descriptions of how professionally trained music therapists experience their careers have been gathered in order to analyse the ways Australian based registered music therapists (RMTs) describe their experiences of professional practice. A descriptive phenomenological approach was adopted for this exploration, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 registered music therapists during 2019. Three common concepts were identified through analysis: the unique identity of a registered music therapist; the unique aspects of practice as a registered music therapist; and the impact of a registered music therapist's work environment. Australian based RMTs described an intertwining of their professional and personal identities. Even though the overall experience of practicing in Australia appears to be positive, issues relating to work conditions, advocacy and recognition for the profession are ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on description of a new approach, novel observations, question regarding a current theory, use of innovative technology equipment, or the process of setting up a new service. Topics include health fields traditionally been aimed at providing short, fast communication about a method or condition from practitioners; and integrating telehealth approaches for caring into the daily practice and building on the abundance of skills as practitioners and researcher.

Mealtimes are associated with feelings of anxiety and distress for people with anorexia nervosa. There is little research into specific therapeutic activities for reducing meal-related anxiety. The study reported here assessed the efficacy of post-meal music therapy in 18 adults with anorexia nervosa in hospital. We report here the qualitative data. Participants described music therapy as a way to take their mind off the meal they had eaten, get a break from anxiety and get to know other people. Music therapy offered an alternative distress tolerance technique during a time of heightened anxiety. This study provides support for the use of music therapy in managing post-meal related anxiety for consumers with anorexia nervosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on elements of music used for supporting interaction between family caregivers and the relatives with dementia. Topics include using therapeutic songwriting supporting the dyadic relationship between people living with dementia and the family caregivers; and reinforcing the identity, being flexible and responsive, and upholding the human rights to participation and inclusion.

Since its beginnings in the 1970s, the music therapy profession in Australia continues to grow and change. However, there is little literature about either the history or the continual growth of the profession in Australia. This study was the first historical research project which aimed to reflect on the growth of the music therapy profession in Australia over time. Qualitative data was obtained through interviews with three of Australia's most prominent figures in the field of music therapy. This article focuses on the establishment of the music therapy profession in Australia between 1970 and 1990 and Professor Denise Grocke's influence and contribution to the profession in these early years. The interview narrative provides invaluable insight into the establishment of the music therapy profession in Australia. This study brings to light the importance of developing the historical 'story' of the music therapy profession in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the challenges of 2020 but also on the stories of resilience and hope which have emerged, and this volume of AJMT highlights our resources as music therapists through two research articles. It mentions that the Allison Fuller and Alison Short present the results from a survey they conducted on visual supports such as ‘choice boards' or ‘first-then cards' used by Australian RMTs in their clinical practice.