Safeguarding Curricular Self-Experiences in Undergraduate Music Therapy Education and Training

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Hiller ◽  
Courtney Belt ◽  
Susan Gardstrom ◽  
Joy Willenbrink-Conte
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Psychological Safety ◽  
American Music ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Therapy Education

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to put forth a model to support the psychological safety of undergraduate students as they engage in a form of experiential learning called self-experiences (SEs). SEs pair active engagement in learning episodes with learner self-inquiry. The need to safeguard curricular SEs is grounded in the American Music Therapy Association’s Professional Competencies and Code of Ethics and the Certification Board for Music Therapists’ Board Certification Domains. We first explicate several types and benefits of SEs and identify potential risks and contraindications that may compromise learners’ psychological safety and even cause harm. Next, we describe the steps we took in developing the model and gaining administrative approval. We outline major tenets and describe specific safeguarding practices at various levels of implementation. We offer a hypothetical vignette to contextualize the information, address certain challenges in implementing this model, and offer recommendations for future research related to undergraduate experiential learning. Educators, clinical trainers, and supervisors who employ SEs are encouraged to implement safeguards toward upholding professional ethics and supporting learners’ personal and professional development.

A Descriptive Analysis of Music Therapy Employment from 2013 to 2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathon Oden
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
American Music ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Funding Sources ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Therapy Services

Abstract The purpose of this study was to descriptively analyze music therapy employment data from 2013 to 2019, including years in the field, gender, age, ethnicity, hours worked, jobs created, number of new board-certified music therapists (MT-BCs), funding sources, and wages. A database was created to analyze descriptive data from the 2013–2019 American Music Therapy Association Workforce Analysis Surveys as well as data from the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Results indicate a large portion of music therapists (MTs) have been in the field for five years or less. Though the majority of MTs work full time, there is a high rate of part-time employment. An estimate of the total number of new full-time jobs represented a ratio of 57% of new MT-BCs during the period. Private pay was the most reported funding source for music therapy services. Music therapy wages tended to be higher for those with higher levels of education. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are provided.

Considerations When Writing and Presenting Consent Forms for Clients

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-41
Author(s):  
Gene Ann Behrens
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
American Music ◽  
Legal Rights ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Ethical Research ◽  
Consent Forms ◽  
Conducting Research

Abstract While the writing and presentation of most general consent forms can be accomplished using a checklist of what to include and say, different nuances and considerations enter the process when the participants of a research study involve present or past clients who retain their legal rights. This process is even more challenging for student music therapists conducting research as part of a school-related project. While the Belmont Report1 and the American Music Therapy Association’s (AMTA) Code of Ethics (https://www.musictherapy.org/about/ethics/) provide some insights and direction for many ethical research decisions, music therapy researchers also must be aware of their values, morals, and integrity, as well as various ethical considerations. Based on an example scenario, six ethical questions related to writing and presenting a consent form for a past client are discussed along with references to the Belmont Report and AMTA’s Code of Ethics.

Reopening the Conversation Between Music Psychology and Music Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-201
Author(s):  
Emily Carlson ◽  
Ian Cross
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Music Psychology ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
Common Interests

Although the fields of music psychology and music therapy share many common interests, research collaboration between the two fields is still somewhat rare. Previous work has identified that disciplinary identities and attitudes towards those in other disciplines are challenges to effective interdisciplinary research. The current study explores such attitudes in music therapy and music psychology. A sample of 123 music therapists and music psychologists answered an online survey regarding their attitudes towards potential interdisciplinary work between the two fields. Analysis of results suggested that participants’ judgements of the attitudes of members of the other discipline were not always accurate. Music therapists indicated a high degree of interest in interdisciplinary research, although in free text answers, both music psychologists and music therapists frequently characterized music therapists as disinterested in science. Music therapists reported seeing significantly greater relevance of music psychology to their own work than did music psychologists of music therapists. Participants’ attitudes were modestly related to their reported personality traits and held values. Results overall indicated interest in, and positive expectations of, interdisciplinary attitudes in both groups, and should be explored in future research.

Defining the Therapeutic Singing Voice: Further Examination of the Everyday Singing Practices of Music Therapists

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina C Bingham ◽  
Elizabeth K Schwartz ◽  
Anthony Meadows
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
American Music ◽  
Singing Voice ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Vocal Health ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
Therapy Sessions ◽  
And Training

Abstract Twelve music therapists were observed working clinically in 3 to 5 of their music therapy sessions and subsequently interviewed about their clinical work in order to further examine and define the essential characteristics of therapeutic singing in music therapy clinical practice. Observational and interview data were analyzed separately using procedures consistent with qualitative content analysis and then integrated to provide a comprehensive picture of these singing practices. Analysis of these data revealed 3 interrelated dimensions of therapeutic singing that were integrated into the larger realization of therapeutic singing: (1) foundational vocal skills, (2) vocal engagement, and (3) authenticity. Implications for the education and training of music therapy students, vocal health, and a reevaluation of the American Music Therapy Association’s competencies contextualize these findings for the profession as a whole.

Expanding a Music Therapy Business Using AMTA’s Aspirational Code of Ethics

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-37
Author(s):  
Meredith Roman Pizzi
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Business Practices ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Ethical Decisions ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Trust Law

Abstract While all music therapists look to the Code of Ethics as a guiding document, music therapists who are self-employed or managing teams rely heavily on this document to create sound business and administrative policies. This article articulates how the 2019 Code of Ethics informs the music therapy entrepreneur or manager to make thoughtful, accountable, and ethical decisions, decreases confusion about specific business practices, and addresses significant concerns related to aspects of the previous AMTA Code of Ethics that were in conflict with federal anti-trust regulations in the United States, including the Sherman Anti-Trust Law. To address the legal and ethical issues inherent in expanding a service business, a discussion guided by the 2019 Code of Ethics and the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics (2009) model is provided as a way to think through potential ethical dilemmas when considering subcontracting music therapy services.

scholarly journals Music Therapy Interventions for Stress Reduction in Adults With Mild Intellectual Disabilities: Perspectives From Clinical Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina de Witte ◽  
Esther Lindelauf ◽  
Xavier Moonen ◽  
Geert-Jan Stams ◽  
Susan van Hooren
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Intellectual Disabilities ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Coping With Stress ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Therapeutic Goals ◽  
Therapy Goals ◽  
Therapy Interventions

Stress is increasingly being recognized as one of the main factors that is negatively affecting our health, and therefore there is a need to regulate daily stress and prevent long-term stress. This need seems particularly important for adults with mild intellectual disabilities (MID) who have been shown to have more difficulties coping with stress than adults without intellectual disabilities. Hence, the development of music therapy interventions for stress reduction, particularly within populations where needs may be greater, is becoming increasingly important. In order to gain more insight into the practice-based knowledge on how music therapists lower stress levels of their patients with MID during music therapy sessions, we conducted focus group interviews with music therapists working with adults with MID (N = 13) from different countries and clinical institutions in Europe. Results provide an overview of the most-used interventions for stress reduction within and outside of music. Data-analysis resulted in the further specification of therapeutic goals, intervention techniques, the use of musical instruments, and related therapeutic change factors. The main findings indicate that music therapists used little to no receptive (e.g., music listening) interventions for stress reduction, but preferred to use active interventions, which were mainly based on musical improvisation. Results show that three therapy goals for stress relief could be distinguished. The goal of “synchronizing” can be seen as a sub goal because it often precedes working on the other two goals of “tension release” or “direct relaxation,” which can also be seen as two ways of reaching stress reduction in adults with MID through music therapy interventions. Furthermore, the tempo and the dynamics of the music are considered as the most important musical components to reduce stress in adults with MID. Practical implications for stress-reducing music therapy interventions for adults with MID are discussed as well as recommendations for future research.

Expectancy Theory of Motivation and Substance Use Treatment: Implications for Music Therapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marshall Yoes ◽  
Michael J Silverman
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Expectancy Theory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
Theory Of Motivation ◽  
Expectancy Theory Of Motivation

Abstract The existing literature indicates that motivation is an important predictor of treatment outcome for people with substance use disorders (SUD). Although researchers have found that music therapy can positively impact motivation for people with SUD, the music therapy and SUD literature base lack a theoretical understanding of motivation. Vroom’s expectancy theory of motivation (ETM) is an established theoretical framework positing that motivation depends on three relationships: expectancy, instrumentality, and valence. These relationships consist of four variables: effort, performance, reward, and preference. Based on these four variables, motivation depends on the expectation that an increase in effort will lead to improved performance, thus leading to a reward aligned with an individual’s preferences. The purpose of this paper is to apply Vroom’s ETM to music therapy and SUD clinical practice and research. We reviewed the existing literature addressing Vroom’s ETM within SUD treatment and created a model to depict how to apply Vroom’s ETM to music therapy clinical practice for people with SUD. Application of Vroom’s ETM may help music therapists understand and augment motivation for people with SUD, potentially leading to relapse prevention and recovery. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Ethics in Music Therapy Education: Four Points to Consider

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-50
Author(s):  
Lauren DiMaio ◽  
Becky Engen
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethical Dilemmas ◽  
Cultural Bias ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Academic Setting ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Ethical Thinking ◽  
Therapy Education ◽  
Music Therapy Education

Abstract Ethical thinking in music therapy is a vital aspect of the profession. However, little is published on the subject of ethics in the music therapy academic setting. Therefore, this article explores the complex issues of ethics and ethical thinking in music therapy education from the perspective of two music therapists who have held various positions within academics in music therapy. The purpose of this article is to encourage integrity within music therapy education and to draw attention to the complex ethical issues within music therapy academics. Four points are described for music therapy educators: (1) Assess positions of power, (2) Explore your adaptability, (3) Assess possible infringement of rights, and (4) Consider cultural bias in your responses. These points are offered as recommendations inserted into the Dileo Model of Ethical Thinking for Music Therapists for people in academia when faced with ethical dilemmas.

scholarly journals Establishing a New Music Therapy Service in an Aged-Care Centre with Multiple Settings: The Journey of a Music Therapy Student

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Silvia Jung
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Multiple Roles ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Therapy Program ◽  
Therapy Education ◽  
Therapy Service

<p>This exegesis describes my journey as a music therapy student navigating a practicum placement with older people, in a facility where there had been no previous music therapy service. My uncertainty about beginning the placement was compounded by the fact that major renovations were taking place at the facility, and low staff numbers meant I was left largely to my own devices. The fact that music therapy is a young profession was clearly going to have an impact on how I went about building my own practice as a music therapy student within the facility. This study was therefore motivated by my desire to explore my process of establishing a new service in a healthcare setting and to share the strategies I developed. Using secondary analysis of data as my research approach I have analysed my meeting notes and a self-refective journal to explore both the advantages and challenges of building a music therapy program as a student. Seven preliminary themes have emerged including ‘Developing relationships with staff and fnding support within the institution’; ‘Educating people about the role of music therapy’; and ‘Coming to terms with institutional constraints’. I needed to ‘Develop relationships with participants and family members’, ‘Develop various music therapy programmes for different settings’, and I learned about ‘Taking risks’ and ‘Engaging in self-refexive practice’. The study supports previous research about the challenges of implementing a new service in a facility, including the requirement for high levels of communication/language skills and the need to fulfl multiple roles. It also confrms research that shows that some of these communication skills go beyond the training undertaken by music therapists. This study suggests that this might be remedied through coursedevelopment within tertiary music therapy education programmes, and courses and conferences through professional music therapy organisations.</p>

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