Perspectives on the Relevance of Interdisciplinary Music Therapy

Abstract

Among healthcare professions, music therapy practice has its own therapeutic way to address treatment in the areas of psycho-social behaviour, speech and language, sensorial, motor and cognition of individuals with a variety of diagnoses: neurological, psychological, physical, or other medical ones. The practice of music therapy requires specialised music therapists whose theoretical notions come not only from the fields of Psychology and Music, but also from Neurology, Psychiatry, Physics, IT or Statistics. The aim of this paper is on one hand, to explain the various relationships existing among disciplines and their utility in the education of music therapists, and, on the other hand, to note the outcome of the interdisciplinary approach on varied categories of students and/or therapy subjects. A broad and complete view and understanding of the problem leads to a correct approach of the therapy avoiding harm and offering effective and efficient methods of healing, in order to increase health, wellbeing and contribution in society. From education to licensing and actual practice, the therapists acknowledge information about interdisciplinary approaches including models of interdisciplinary work. Keeping in mind the distinct, unique features of music therapy and its interdisciplinary characteristics, aspects related to the background education of therapists, to the actual training as professionals, and also to the communication with specialists from other fields (working teams) are discussed.