Theoretical Perspectives and Therapeutic Approaches in Music Therapy with Families

An International Survey Study

Authors

  • Kirsi Tuomi Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland
  • Grace Thompson Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Tali Gottfried Graduate Program for Special Education, Herzog Academic College, Israel
  • Esa Ala-Ruona Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v21i2.2952

Keywords:

music therapy, family work, families, survey

Abstract

Music therapists have described the importance of working collaboratively with family members in various populations throughout the history of the profession. Despite the growing amount of literature, not enough is known regarding the scope of theoretical perspectives and therapeutic approaches that guide family centered music therapy. The aim of this international survey study was to better understand the professional perspectives and approaches of music therapists who work with families around the world. This article presents the results of the survey where a total of 125 responses were analysed. Participants’ responses indicated that music therapy with families is well established as an important field of practice that includes a large range of populations across the life span. Music therapists working with families emphasise that the work is holistic and flexible, both in terms of the theoretical approaches that inform their work and the methods/techniques that are included in sessions. The participants in this study advocated for more continuing professional development opportunities to further deepen and develop their practice. In addition, the survey data offers priorities and recommendations for future research.

Author Biographies

Kirsi Tuomi, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Kirsi Tuomi, MM, is a music-, Theraplay- and Attachment focused family therapist and certified supervisor. She has worked as a clinician over 20 years focusing on attachment issues mainly with foster and adoptive families. She regularily teaches music therapy students and has given numerous national and international presentations and workshops. Currently she is finishing her PhD studies at the University of Jyväskylä.

Grace Thompson, Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne, Australia

Grace Thompson is Head of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne. Her research focuses on music therapy with disabled and autistic children, and delivered within ecologically oriented strategies. She is the co-editor of "Music Therapy with Families: Therapeutic Approaches and Theoretical Perspectives."

Tali Gottfried, Graduate Program for Special Education, Herzog Academic College, Israel

Tali Gottfried, PhD, is a licensed music therapist, certified supervisor, lecturer and researcher. Her main clinical and research areas are families of children with developmental challenges. Tali works within a parallel clinical model, where music takes a central role in the therapeutic process of both the children and their parents, MEL Assessment co-developer.

Esa Ala-Ruona, Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Finland

Esa Ala-Ruona, PhD, is a music therapist and psychotherapist (advanced level) working as a senior researcher at the Music Therapy Clinic for Research and Training, at University of Jyvaskyla ̈ . His research interests are in music therapy assessment and ̈ evaluation, and in studying musical interaction, meaning making and clinical processes in multimodal music therapy. He has an extensive experience in clinical music therapy in various of fields of health care and rehabilitation. His special expertise lies on creating clinical models, as well as clinical practice of integrative music psychotherapy, and vibroacoustic therapy.

Photo cluster of the four authors Kirsi Tuomi, Grace Thompson, Tali Gottfried, and Esa Ala-Ruona

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Published

2021-06-10

How to Cite

Tuomi, K., Thompson, G., Gottfried, T., & Ala-Ruona, E. (2021). Theoretical Perspectives and Therapeutic Approaches in Music Therapy with Families: An International Survey Study. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v21i2.2952

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 2 (2021)

Section

Research

License

Copyright (c) 2021 Kirsi Tuomi, Grace Thompson, Tali Gottfried, Esa Ala-Ruona

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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