Music Therapy in Europe:Paths of Professional development

In: Ridder , H M O & Tsiris , G (eds) 2015 , ' Music Therapy in Europe : Paths of Professional development ' , Approaches. Music therapy and special education , vol. 7 , no. 1 , pp. 1-189 .

Abstract

Professional development and recognition is an 'old' issue in music therapy but still a relevant, complex and crucial one. Burning questions regarding professionalisation are at the forefront of most music therapy associations' agendas across Europe and beyond, and feed back directly to the work of the EMTC. Considering the wider political, socio-economic, cultural and disciplinary aspects of professionalisation, different development pathways impact directly on music therapy practice, training, ethics, professional collaboration and employment conditions. Although a number of endeavours have been implemented regarding music therapy's professional development and recognition in different countries, documentation and sharing of such endeavours on international level has been limited and scattered. Drawing from the EMTC's work since the early '90s, as well as from colleagues' experiences (and struggles) of music therapy's professional pathways in different European countries, this special issue aims: * to provide an overview of the current 'state of affairs' in Europe by systematically documenting music therapy's paths of professional development across different countries by tracing not only its achievements, but also its failures and problems. * to offer opportunities to critique and reflect on the interrelationships between music therapy as a discipline (with all its requirements to clinical and/or academic training) and music therapy as a profession (with its regulations, governmental recognition, and registration, legitimisation/authorisation or licensing issues). Capturing the diversity of music therapy's professional development across different European countries, this special issue will contribute to the establishment of a shared platform of knowledge upon which further local or international initiatives can be developed. ; Professional development and recognition is an 'old' issue in music therapy but still a relevant, complex and crucial one. Burning questions regarding professionalisation are at the forefront of most music therapy associations' agendas across Europe and beyond, and feed back directly to the work of the EMTC. Considering the wider political, socio-economic, cultural and disciplinary aspects of professionalisation, different development pathways impact directly on music therapy practice, training, ethics, professional collaboration and employment conditions. Although a number of endeavours have been implemented regarding music therapy's professional development and recognition in different countries, documentation and sharing of such endeavours on international level has been limited and scattered. Drawing from the EMTC's work since the early '90s, as well as from colleagues' experiences (and struggles) of music therapy's professional pathways in different European countries, this special issue aims: * to provide an overview of the current 'state of affairs' in Europe by systematically documenting music therapy's paths of professional development across different countries by tracing not only its achievements, but also its failures and problems. * to offer opportunities to critique and reflect on the interrelationships between music therapy as a discipline (with all its requirements to clinical and/or academic training) and music therapy as a profession (with its regulations, governmental recognition, and registration, legitimisation/authorisation or licensing issues). Capturing the diversity of music therapy's professional development across different European countries, this special issue will contribute to the establishment of a shared platform of knowledge upon which further local or international initiatives can be developed. Apart from a report from each country, this special issue of Approaches includes the following 16 articles: The role of the EMTC for development and recognition of the music therapy profession Hanne Mette Ridder, Adrienne Lerner & Ferdinando Suvini (pp.13-22) The European Music Therapy Confederation: History and development Monika Nöcker-Ribaupierre (pp. 23-29) Maintaining the dialogue of influence: Developing music therapy theory in pace with practice and research Claire M. Ghetti (pp.30-37) The academic training of music therapists: Chances of normalisation and specialisation Thomas Wosch (pp.38-43) Paths of professional development in music therapy: Training, professional identity and practice Jane Edwards (pp.44-53) Music therapy as academic education: A five-year integrated MA programme as a lighthouse model? Brynjulf Stige (pp.54-61) Continuing professional development – Why, what and how? Angela Harrison (pp.62-66) Supervision during music therapy training: An interview with two Swedish supervisors Rut Wallius (pp.67-73) Supervisor training: An integration of professional supervision and the use of artistic media Inge Nygaard Pedersen (pp.74-85) The Bonny method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) in Europe Lars Ole Bonde (pp.86-90) Solo or tutti, together or alone – What form of professional/legal recognition is best for music therapy? Melanie Voigt (pp.91-97) The role of professional associations in the recognition process Ranka Radulovic (pp.98-109) Towards professionalisation of music therapy: A model of training and certification in Poland Krzysztof Stachyra (pp.110-117) Perspectives on the development of the music therapy profession in the UK Alison Barrington (pp.118-122) A process of two decades: Gaining professional recognition in Austria Elena Fitzthum (pp.123-126) Development of the music therapy profession in Latvia Mirdza Paipare (pp.127-130)