Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our frequently asked questions page. Whether you are exploring neuroaffirming music therapy for your child, looking into adaptive music lessons, or navigating funding options across Porirua, Kāpiti, and Greater Wellington, you will find answers to our most common queries below.

Understanding Music Therapy

What is the difference between music lessons and music therapy?

Where music teachers focus on teaching technical musical skills and repertoire, Registered Music Therapists use music as a flexible tool to support growth, wellbeing, and authentic connection. Areas of exploration often focus on non-musical priorities – such as emotional regulation, communication, sensory processing, and social confidence – though they can also relate to musical identity and self-expression.

What qualifications and training do music therapists have?

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Registered Music Therapists (NZ RMThs) hold a Master of Music Therapy degree (from Victoria University of Wellington / New Zealand School of Music or an overseas equivalent). We are registered with the Music Therapy New Zealand Registration Board and hold current practising certificates and Children’s Worker Safety Checks.

Further information about music therapy

Locations & Session Delivery

Where are you based?

The Little Musical Caravan provides support across Porirua, Kāpiti, and Greater Wellington through three primary settings:

Mana Therapy Hub: A fixed therapy space located at 116 Mana Esplanade, Porirua. (If our forecourt parking space is full, there is plenty of easy street parking right outside along Mana Esplanade after the 9:30 AM clearway.)
Kāpiti Studio: A dedicated space in Raumati South serving Kāpiti Coast whānau.
The Little Musical Caravan (Mobile Unit): Our mobile caravan travels directly to local preschools, primary schools, and community settings where we have a minimum of 3 tamariki booked for 1:1 sessions. To set up on-site, we require a relatively level parking area with access to power and room to manoeuvre.
Community Partnerships & Venues: We also deliver music therapy within established community spaces, such as Āhuru Mōwai Trust’s sensory sessions at Chipmunks, Tawa and Rebound, Paraparaumu.
In-Home Visits (By Exceptional Arrangement): On rare occasions, we can offer in-home sessions for tamariki who are unable to leave the house due to chronic illness, medical complexity, or severe anxiety – often as a gentle bridge to support eventual transitions into school or therapy spaces.

Do you offer in-school or online options?

In-School Spaces: When we can not bring the caravan on-site, we work with school leadership to adapt quiet, familiar spaces provided by the host school.
Telehealth / Online Therapy: Online music therapy is available nationwide or as a blended model. This option is ideal for tamariki unable to attend in-person due to geographical distance, fragile physical health, or temporary illness.

Session Process & Referrals

Do I need a formal referral or diagnosis?

No. You do not need a referral from a paediatrician, educator, or health professional to access our services, nor does your child require a formal diagnosis. However, referrals and background reports from wider support teams (such as SLTs, OTs, or SENCOs) are always welcome to help us understand your child’s strengths and needs.

What happens during a music therapy session?

Individual sessions typically run for 30 minutes weekly at a regular scheduled time across any of our therapy spaces. Sessions are strengths-based, neuroaffirming, and child-led – adapting directly to your child’s interests, energy, and musical preferences. Where appropriate in school settings, we collaborate with classroom teachers to include peers to support social connection.

What is involved in the initial assessment and regular reviews?

Initial Assessment: Before beginning ongoing work, we conduct a music therapy assessment (typically 3–4 child-centred sessions, plus an optional classroom observation). This allows us to observe musical preferences, interaction styles, and sensory needs. We then prepare a written report outlining recommendations and therapeutic focus areas.
Āhuru Mōwai Trust ‘Tasters’: If your child has recently completed a 10-block taster through Āhuru Mōwai Trust, we can often use their summary report in lieu of a formal assessment to help you transition straight into ongoing sessions.
Regular Reviews & Reports: We provide informal progress reviews each term. We are also happy to contribute to Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Plan (IP) meetings. At the end of the school year or when therapy concludes, we provide a further report summarises progress.
How Reports Are Written: To keep our services affordable and give our therapists more direct time with tamariki, we use secure, privacy-focused digital tools to assist in organising session notes. All reports are carefully synthesised, reviewed, edited, and professionally verified by our Registered Music Therapists, ensuring every document remains deeply personal, accurate, and human-centred.

Attendance, Sickness & Health Protocols

What is your cancellation policy?

Whānau Cancellations: Please give us as much notice as possible if your child cannot attend. Sessions cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged at the standard rate.
Therapist Cancellations: If we need to cancel a session due to illness, emergency, or professional commitments, we will give you as much notice as possible, and you will not be charged.

What should I do if my child is sick?

Please keep your child at home if they are unwell! To protect vulnerable tamariki, immunocompromised whānau, and our team, we enforce a strict wellness policy:

Symptom Protocol: If a child arrives at a session with active symptoms of illness (e.g. fever, persistent coughing, sneezing, or runny nose), the session will be cancelled, and the full fee will apply.
Health Precautions: We maintain regular hand sanitisation, session ventilation, instrument cleaning/sanitising, and optional mask-wearing to keep all participants safe.

Fees, Funding & Payment Terms

How much does music therapy cost?

Our fees reflect both direct contact time and non-contact time (session preparation, note-taking, and ongoing planning). All prices include GST.

Individual Music Therapy (1:1): $110.00 incl. GST per 30-minute session.
Initial Assessment Package: $495.00 incl. GST (saves $55+ off standard hourly rates.)

Includes 3x 30-minute sessions, 1x classroom observation or 4th session, and a written report outlining therapeutic recommendations and focus areas.
Open Play-Based Group Facilitation (Schools & ECEs)
- 30 minutes: $120.00 incl. GST
- 45 minutes: $160.00 incl. GST
- 60 minutes: $185.00 incl. GST
Includes full setup, specialised instrument provision, group facilitation, and an immediate verbal handover with classroom teaching staff after the session.
Adaptive Piano & Guitar Lessons: $42.00 incl. GST per 30 minutes.
Written Reports & Consultations: $110.00 incl. GST per hour.
Travel & Venue Fees: Travel outside our regular school routes is charged at current IRD mileage rates. A small venue contribution applies for Kāpiti Coast venue hire (shared across whānau).

How does billing work?

Assessments: Payment for initial assessment packages is due in advance.
Ongoing Sessions: Invoices are issued at the end of each calendar month and are due within 14 days.
Payment Plans: We offer flexible options including Automatic Payments (AP) or manual instalments by arrangement. An admin fee may apply to overdue/unpaid invoices requiring follow-up.
Funding Pathways: Music therapy can often be funded via Individualized Funding (IF), Carer Support (Respite Funding), ORS allocations, or Ministry of Education/agency contracts. (Note: If you are new to music therapy, a 10-week ‘taster’ block through Āhuru Mōwai Trust may be a cost effective start to your child’s music therapy journey.)

Get in Touch or Register

Have additional questions about funding, venue options, or session times?