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Volume 14 No 1 2000

Editorial - The State We're In - Gary Ansdell

Historical Perspectives Interview Series - Tony Wigram - interviewed by Helen Loth  p5 - p12

The State of the UK Music Therapy Profession - Personal qualities, working models, support networks and job satisfaction p13 - p31

David Stewart

Abstract

This paper outlines the findings from a self-administered postal questionnaire to the UK music therapy profession carried out in June 1997.  It details the background to the study, its design and methodology, the results and their implications.  the survey gathered data on the personal qualities used in practice, working models, support networks and job satisfaction among UK music therapists.  Taken together, these responses were deemed an indication of the overall 'state of the profession'.  Further, and attempt was made  to ascertain a correlation between job satisfaction and other variables as a way of delineating a profile of a 'job-satisfied music therapist'.  Key results indicated a profession of diverse individuals more likely to be balancing part-time music therapy work than to be employed in a full time post.  They indicated a profession with cohesive personal qualities underlying its practice, and more definitive priorities for working models.  they revealed a profession more likely to describe itself as 'supported' and 'satisfied' than either 'very supported/satisfied'. 'quite supported/mixed feelings',' unsupported/dissatisfied' or 'very unsupported/dissatisfied'.  They identified clinical supervision and communication with colleagues and carers as the two most significant support networks among the sample.  A statistically significant correlation was established between the level of professional support experienced and job satisfaction.

A Study of Burnout and Multidisciplinary Team-working amongst Professional Music Therapists p32 - p40

Barbara Hills, Ian Norman and Lucy Forster

Abstract

This paper reports the findings or 151 members of the British Association of Professional Music Therapists, conducted in January 1998, to investigate burnout and job satisfaction in relation to multidisciplinary team membership.  Information on personal profile and employment characteristics was also sought, as music therapists are such a widely diverse group.  Three aspects of burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment) were measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson 1981).  Factors influencing reward and dissatisfaction in the job were also assessed in relation to multidisciplinary team membership.  personal and team role clarity and team and professional identification were assessed in therapists who were members of the multidisciplinary teams.

Therapists who were members of multidisciplinary teams were found to have higher levels of personal accomplishment and similar levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation in comparison to those working independently.  These results are discussed in relation to previous surveys of other health and social care professionals.  Sources of pressure and reward differed between multidisciplinary team members and non-members.  Music therapists who were members of multidisciplinary teams were found to have a moderate level of personal role clarity within their team and identified with their profession more than with their multidisciplinary team.

An Educational Model for Music Therapy:  the Case for a Continuum p41 - p46

James Robertson

Abstract

This paper proposes that an educational dimension to music therapy in both training and practice should be considered.  The rationale of recent and forthcoming curricular developments in music teaching would seem to imply that the perceived boundaries between music education and music therapy are becoming less distinct.  It is thus likely that the two professions begin to be curious, at least, about such close proximity. Yet the therapeutic potential of music is not exclusive to the profession after which it is named.  Furthermore, it would appear that the responsibilities of the music teacher in the present educational climate require a more inclusive (and therapeutic) approach as pupils with special needs, increasingly, are integrated into the mainstream sector.  It is probable, therefore, that the teacher, rather than the therapists, will be inclined to meet these needs.  While the boundaries between the professions necessarily prevail, a re-alignment (by means of a continuum) might be appropriate.  This paper represents the personal views of the author as to how such an adjustment could be made and certain parallels are drawn with the profession of art therapy.  The outline of a case is then presented for the consideration of educational music therapy.  This would enable teachers of music to follow a modular programme of study which, while confined to the special education needs sector, could provide an alternative route to a music therapy qualification.

Book Reviews  p47 - p51

Paths of Development in Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy by Kenneth Aigen/Reviewed by Gary Ansdell

Music Therapy in Palliative Care - New Voices by David Aldridge (ed.)/Reviewed by Julian O'Kelly

Vol 14 No 2 2000

Editorial - Sustaining Inquiry by Gary Ansdell  p54 - p55

Historical Perspectives Interview Series

Leslie Burnt - interviewed by Cathy Durham  p56 - p61

Variations on a Theme  p62 - p69

The evolution of a Music Therapy Research Programme at the Bristol Cancer Help Centre  

Leslie Bunt, Sarah Burns and Pat Turton

Abstract

Music therapy has an increasingly important role within the residential programme at the Bristol Cancer Help Centre.  The main theme of this article is an emerging integrated approach to the evaluation of the music therapy intervention at the Centre.  The variations referred to in the title are summaries of two earlier research projects and an analysis of a recent series of focus group discussions.  Research plans are also suggested as future variations.  There is a cyclical and common-sense approach to the way in which the music therapy research has developed at the Centre.  All evidence has emerged and is emerging from the practice. Close links are developing between the ongoing changes in the methodologies for the music therapy research and the overall research plans at the Centre.

'A Suspiciously Cheerful Lady' p70 - p82

A study of a Song's Life in the Paediatric Oncology Ward, and Beyond... 

Trygve Aasgaard

Abstract

This paper presents a study of song creations in music therapy with critically ill children.  It consists of three parts.  Part I presents an outline of individual and environmental health concepts in relation to children (families) with cancer and music therapy - including a short introduction to the literature on song creations in paediatric oncology settings.  Part II presents a case study of one song and its development and history.  Part III offers an analysis and interpretation of themes relating to the song phenomena - ending with a discussion of the findings within an ecological health perspective.

Speaking with Clients  p83 - p92

Perspectives from Creative Music Therapy

Fraser Simpson

Abstract

This article describes the process and results of a project undertaken to research the place and significance of verbal communication between therapists and clients in Creative Music Therapy.  Six music therapists were interviewed for the study , all of whom were experienced in working with clients with normal language skills.  The study examines ways in which the therapist converge and diverge in their ways of thinking about and using words in the clinical setting, and a theoretical model is presented in an attempt to elucidate the fluid relationship between words and music.  The bulk of the analysis is presented in categories originating from the therapists' comments.  It is concluded that this aspect of music therapy requires careful consideration by music therapists, being both highly complex and intertwined with personal ideologies.

Dialogues

A Response to the Review of Music Therapy in Palliative Care - New Voices  p93 - p94

Wendy Magee

A Response to James Robertson's 'An Educational Model for Music Therapy: the Case for a Continuum'  p94 - p98

Sylvia Woodward

Book Reviews  p99 - p104

Clinical Applications of Music Therapy in Psychiatry

Clinical Applications of Music Therapy in Developmental Disability, Paediatrics and Neurology - Edited by Tony Wigram and Jos de Backer/Reviewed by Anna Maratos Tooth and Simon Procter

The Dynamics of Music Psychotherapy - Edited by Kenneth E. Bruscia/Reviewed by David Stewart