I have been working as a music therapist with various client populations overseas and in Australia for over 20 years, particularly gaining expertise in providing music therapeutic interventions for children, adolescents and adults with mental health issues and challenging behaviours. Nowadays, I also specialise in providing music therapy programs for the ageing person and people with disabilities.

I developed my passion for music early on in life when I found my grandmother’s old accordion. Later, when choosing my career path, I decided to combine my enthusiasm for music and interest in caring for people. After I finished my training as a paediatric nurse and working as a district nurse, I undertook my first studies in music therapy at the Institut fuer Musiktherapie Berlin, Germany. I started my professional career as a freelance music therapist, providing music therapy in aged care and at a psychiatric hospital. Over time, I specialised in working with young people experiencing mental health issues.

At this time, I gained experience in teaching and supervising music therapy students and was appointed as the head of faculty for further training in social music therapy at the Institut fuer Musiktherapie Berlin. I also gave lectures and workshops around Germany. Nowadays, I am a guest lecturer at Western Sydney University.

When I arrived in Australia in 2007, I completed my Master of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University (https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/) in collaboration with the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre, while working as a registered music therapist in the oncology department at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. I then worked as a research assistant at the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre, reviewing the benefits of music therapy in aged care and young people and earned a Bachelor of Psychology at Charles Sturt University.

Currently, I work as a music therapist with people with disabilities, with neurodivergent individuals, people experiencing mental health and behavioural issues, and in aged care. In these roles, I do my utmost to use my particular skills to support my clients in their unique processes of growth and change, and to develop specific, tailored music therapy programs.

Frauke’s Qualifications: Diploma of Music Therapy (Institut für Musiktherapie Berlin), Certificate Teacher of Music Therapy (Institut für  Musiktherapie Berlin), Master of Creative Music Therapy (WSU), Bachelor of Psychology (CSU), Registered Music Therapist (AMTA), Neurological Music Therapist