The Clinical and Theoretical Trends of Music Therapists: The Israeli Case

Authors

  • Chava Wiess "David Yellin College, Jerusalem
  • Ayelet Dassa Bar-Ilan University,Ramat-Gan
  • Avi Gilboa Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v17i1.889

Keywords:

music therapy, professional identity, clinical orientation, online survey

Abstract

In the present study we conducted a first of its kind online survey of music therapists (MTs) in Israel. Though this field has been growing rapidly and to date includes about 700 MTs, there was not yet a survey conducted to adress their fields of interest, and their clinical and theoretical orientations.

A total of 107 MTs, 48 of which had more than 8 years of experience (MEMT) and 57 of which had less than 8 years of experience (LEMT), answered an internet survey examining: (a) the instruments and the techniques they use, (b) the populations they work with, and (c) their theoretical orientation. Results indicated significant differences between MEMTs and LEMTs in almost all fields of inquiry.

Generally, most of the younger generation is open to more techniques, proficient with more instruments, and uses more music in their work. In a continuously globalizing world, the results of this study are relevant to not only Israeli music therapists, but others as well since the local situation captured in this study can be compared and related to the situations in other countries. Recommendations are provided for places where such studies and surveys have not yet been conducted.

Author Biographies

Chava Wiess, "David Yellin College, Jerusalem

Dr. Chava Wiess is a music therapist who is experienced in working with children and teenagers that have experienced traumas, such as as terrorism, war, and being uprooted.She has a private clinic where she treats emotionally disturbed children. She belongs to an organization called Mahut, which is part of the traumacoalition in Israel.She is the Head of the Music Therapy Program at David Yellin College in Jerusalem, and a lecturer at Orot College.Her fields of research include different aspects of trauma and clinical issues in music therapy.

Ayelet Dassa, Bar-Ilan University,Ramat-Gan

Dr. Ayelet Dassa is a music therapist who is experienced in working with people with dementia, Parkinson disease, stroke patients, and chronic psychiatric elderly.She is the Research Director at the Stuchynski Ramat-Gan Alzheimer Research and Treatment Center, and a lecturer in the Music Therapy program at the Haredi College of Jerusalem and at Bar-Ilan University.Her research addresses the effect of music on dementia residents' restlessness, language skills, participation in the physiotherapy room, and during mealtimes.

Avi Gilboa, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan

Dr. Avi Gilboa is a music therapist who is experienced in working with autistic children, hospitalized children, and children with ADHD.He is currently Chair of the Music Department at Bar-Ilan University, a lecturer in the Music Therapy program, and Head of the Music Therapy Program at the Haredi College of Jerusalem.His fields of research include theoretical and clinical issues in music therapy, and social aspects of music.

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Published

2017-01-24

How to Cite

Wiess, C., Dassa, A., & Gilboa, A. (2017). The Clinical and Theoretical Trends of Music Therapists: The Israeli Case. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v17i1.889

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 1 (2017)

Section

Research

License

Articles published prior to 2019 are subject to the following license, see: https://voices.no/index.php/voices/copyright