Reflections on Practice

Three Examples of Relational Music Therapy Practice with Adolescents in Child Welfare Services

Authors

  • Christine Wilhelmsen Aleris Ungplan, Region Øst, Norway
  • Gisle Fuhr Norwegian Academy of Music, Norway

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i4.2599

Keywords:

Relational music therapy, child welfare, adolescents

Abstract

This article presents and discusses three examples of relational processes in music therapy collaborations with adolescents in care of child welfare services. Theory on relational work in psychology, child welfare, and music therapy will be presented in order to describe the theoretical foundation of our approach. We reflect on different aspects of the therapeutic relationship, such as the distribution of roles and responsibilities between the therapist and adolescent, the need for patience, and the value of the musical cooperation in the relationship. Bordin’s theory on the therapeutic alliance functions as a framework for the discussion. We conclude that music activities can be a beneficial approach for giving adolescent in child welfare positive relational experiences with adult caregivers.

Author Biographies

Christine Wilhelmsen, Aleris Ungplan, Region Øst, Norway

Christine Wilhelmsen finished her studies in music therapy at the Grieg academy/University of Bergen in 2012. Since then she has worked as a music therapist collaborating with children and adolescents in care of child welfare services through Aleris Ungplan. Since 2017 she has also worked for Oslo Municipality in a music therapy project directed towards adolescents.

Gisle Fuhr, Norwegian Academy of Music, Norway

Gisle Fuhr is a research fellow at the Norwegian Academy of Music, researching music therapy with adolescents in child welfare services and working as a music therapist in the same field.

Published

2018-10-21

How to Cite

Wilhelmsen, C., & Fuhr, G. (2018). Reflections on Practice: Three Examples of Relational Music Therapy Practice with Adolescents in Child Welfare Services. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i4.2599