Therapeutic Uses of the Flute Within Music Therapy Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-175
Author(s):  
Cecilia E Burns
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
American Music ◽  
Flute Music ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Electronic Survey ◽  
Therapeutic Uses ◽  
Broad Term ◽  
Therapy Sessions ◽  
Primary Instrument

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to describe flute usage among current, professional music therapists. The broad term “flute” included any instrument with sound created by blowing air across or into an aperture hole. Members of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) were sent an electronic survey consisting of 25 questions pertaining to the flute and music therapy. Descriptive statistics describe how flutes were being used in music therapy sessions, and chi-square tests were used to determine whether music therapists who studied flute as a primary instrument used the flute as an instrument within a music therapy setting more frequently. Results showed that 42.4% of the 387 respondents were actively using flute music in some way within music therapy sessions while 67.8% of respondents reported using flute music at some point in the past. Flute-playing music therapists reported using flutes more frequently in a music therapy context than music therapists who did not study flute as a primary instrument. It appears that the flute is a viable instrument for music therapy practice.

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.

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.

Telehealth Music Therapy Services in the United States With Older Adults: A Descriptive Study

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Wilhelm ◽  
Kyle Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
The United States ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many music therapists in the United States turned to telehealth music therapy sessions as a strategy to continue services with older adults. However, the nature and perception of telehealth music therapy services for this age group are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe music therapy telehealth practices with older adults in the United States including information related to session implementation, strengths and challenges, and adaptations to clinical practice. Of the 110 participants in the United States who responded to the survey (25.2% response rate), 69 reported implementing telehealth music therapy services with older adults and responded to a 32-item survey. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results indicated that while all participants had provided telehealth music therapy for no more than 6 months, their experiences with telehealth varied. Based on participant responses, telehealth session structure, strengths, challenges, and implemented changes are presented. Overall, 48% of music therapists reported that they planned to continue telehealth music therapy with older adults once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Further study on the quality, suitability, and acceptability of telehealth services with older adults is recommended.

Results of Medical and Hospice Music Therapy Internship Directors’ Views of Advanced Guitar Skills Needed for Interviews

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-209
Author(s):  
A Robertson
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Contemporary Music ◽  
American Music ◽  
Interview Process ◽  
Primary Instrument ◽  
Advanced Skills

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine which guitar skills beyond the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) functional guitar skill competencies are important for prospective music therapy interns to perform during the medical and hospice music therapy interview process. Participants (n = 32) for this study were medical or hospice music therapy internship supervisors from AMTA approved and university-affiliated internship sites that were asked to rate eight advanced guitar skills on their importance during the internship interview process. Of the 64 internship directors to whom the survey was sent, 32 (50%) participants representing five of the seven AMTA regions responded. The majority of internship directors (94%) reported the guitar as the primary instrument for therapy at their facility. Results indicated that four of the eight advanced guitar skills in question were considered important for interns to perform during the interview process, suggesting students should learn these advanced skills before applying to a medical or hospice music therapy internship. These findings are consistent with previous research suggesting the use of advanced guitar skills to meet musical demands within contemporary music therapy practice.

scholarly journals Music Therapists’ Conceptualization of Clients’ Experience of Healing: Grounded Theory Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Young Hwang ◽  
Hwa-Jin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Theory Analysis ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Korean Music ◽  
Inner Self ◽  
Expression Of Emotions ◽  
Therapy Sessions

This study analyzed the meaning, distinctive features, and process of therapists’ perception of their clients’ experience related to healing in music therapy. Twenty Korean music therapists who work with a variety of clients were recruited to participate through purposive sampling. Corbin and Strauss’s (2008) grounded theory qualitative analysis method was used. Ten categories and nineteen subcategories were obtained. The central phenomenon was active participation in music therapy, which was influenced by client’s readiness. Clients’ experiences lead to healing through awareness of inner self, expression of emotions, and solving problems. These changes were related to the therapists’ interventions, professionalism and qualifications, and their use of music. It was concluded that the clients experienced four types of healing in their music therapy sessions: physical, emotional, social, and transformative.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Music Therapists' Experiences of Verbal Dialogue in Music Therapy Sessions

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhán Nelligan ◽  
Tríona McCaffrey
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Professional Discourse ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Irish Music ◽  
And Function ◽  
Therapy Sessions

This study presents a preliminary exploration of music therapists’ first-hand experiences of engaging in verbal dialogue with clients in their clinical practice. To the authors’ knowledge no previous studies have examined the role of verbal dialogue from the first-hand perspectives of experienced professionals working in the field.  Three individual interviews were conducted with three accredited Irish music therapists. Four central themes emerged as a result of thematic content analysis: content and function of verbal dialogue, the use of verbal dialogue may contribute to professional ambiguity, returning to the music, and the dyadic relationship between musical and verbal exchange. The findings revealed verbal dialogue to be a topic of interest for the participants in this study, one which stimulated meaningful reflections about clinical practice. The implications for professional identity and clinical practice which arose distinguished verbal dialogue as a potential area for further research and professional discourse within the wider music therapy community. Suggestions were made for additional areas of learning that may assist in preparing trainee and newly-qualified music therapists for potentially challenging verbal encounters with clients.

scholarly journals The Violin in Music Therapy: How do I use the violin in music therapy with people who have intellectual disabilities or neurological conditions?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lucy Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Music Therapist ◽  
Clinical Notes ◽  
Research Journal ◽  
Performance Techniques ◽  
Neurological Conditions ◽  
Primary Instrument

<p>In this research I explored my use of the violin in music therapy with people who have intellectual disability and neurological conditions. I am interested in this topic because the violin is my primary instrument and I wanted to learn more about its therapeutic potential. My research methodology was Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data, and the data were my clinical notes and research journal. Findings were generated through thematic analysis of the data. Five themes emerged. Specifically, I found that the violin’s voice-like timbre was helpful in fostering connections and encouraging emotional and communicative expression. Similarly, the ability to physically share the instrument, and to play it while mobile, also fostered connections between me and my participants. Because of my expertise on the violin I was able to utilize a vast variety of performance techniques both with familiar music and within improvisations that elicited meaningful musical moments. My relationship with the violin has developed and changed throughout this process and the violin has become a part of my identity as a music therapist. I anticipate that findings will interest other music therapists, and perhaps encourage them to use alternative instruments within their practice.</p>

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.

Music Therapy in Grief and Mourning

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare O'Callaghan ◽  
Natasha Michael
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Relationships ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Impending Death ◽  
Song Writing ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Music therapists endeavour to understand music’s significance for people who are mourning unfulfilled hopes and a life once lived; who are trying to deal with uncertainty, altered identities, saying farewells, or impending death. Through music-based interventions in therapeutic relationships, music therapists extend the opportunities for music to enable and express mourning which can be congruent with helpful emotional release and coping. Participants are assisted to find comfort and fellowship through identifications with lyrics and sonorities, and the improved expressive capacity offered in music. Expanded awareness and renewed identities can occur through music-based counseling, imagery, improvisation, and song writing. Decedents’ legacies from music therapy may help their mourners to continue and rework bonds with them in bereavement. Such legacies include song recordings, and visual, kinesthetic, and sound memories of shared music therapy sessions.

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