Statement of support for therapists affected by recent NDIS revisions
All Allied Health Professionals have a place in providing much needed care for all members of our communities, especially people for whom mainstream services are inaccessible and/or inappropriate.
Music and Art Therapy are evidence-based approaches, and the Commonwealth Government has dedicated $3 million to a Creative Therapies pilot project in 2025/26.
In many instances, creative and experiential therapies such as creative arts therapy, dance/movement therapy, drama therapy, art therapy, play therapy and music therapy, are more effective than medical model therapies in engaging and supporting people with disabilities. This is because we use more-than-verbal methods, employ multi-modal communication and learning styles, and work with the whole person in ways that support physical, social/emotional, and cognitive health and wellbeing. Creative and Experiential Therapies are highly engaging, stimulating all of the senses and strengthening interpersonal connections, both of which are the primary ways that people learn, grow, and develop skills for life.
The high demand for music and creative arts therapy services by NDIS participants is evidence of the efficacy these therapeutic supports.
Creative and Experiential Therapies are supported by a strong evidence base, including the vast evidence documented in the World Health Organization’s scoping review. Any suggestions that funding cuts are based on insufficient evidence is misleading to the public, and damaging to the reputation of thousands of Australia’s dedicated Music and Creative Arts Therapists.
PACFA stands in solidarity with Australia’s Music Therapists and Creative Arts Therapists in calling for a review of the recent NDIS cut announcement.
We continue to support our own members who are specialists in Creative and Experiential Therapies through the work of our dedicated College of Creative and Experiential Therapies, and who remain able to provide NDIS services as registered counsellors.
Dr Carla Van Laar
Convenor, College of Creative & Experiential Therapies
Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia