Music Therapy

This interdisciplinary module for students training in Art Psychotherapy, Music Therapy, Dance Movement Psychotherapy and Play Therapy will support you in developing your professional identity and preparing for placement practice. It provides comprehensive understanding of professional and ethical issues, including the therapeutic pathway, regulatory standards, diversity, equity, and sustainability, while fostering interdisciplinary communication skills and reflexive practice.

Your curriculum covers theoretical and clinical perspectives on human development (embodied, psychological, social, cultural, and biological) helping you to understand the experiences and needs of diverse service users. Emphasis is placed on trauma-informed approaches, culturally competent care, and critical analysis of health and mental health frameworks. Key professional skills, such as formulation, power dynamics, and ethical considerations, are integrated into the learning process.

This module provides an in-depth foundation in the theoretical frameworks and experiential practices that underpin contemporary music therapy. Through the introduction and critique of key concepts and theories, including dominant and non-dominant approaches, the presentation of video and audio material and engagement in practical workshops, you will examine and practice ways in which music may be used interactively to establish a therapeutic relationship. You will engage critically with central concepts and theories, contributing your own observations about a range of approaches and their place in music therapy in different settings, and developing the ability to apply these ideas to music therapy practice.  

This module provides you with your first substantial placement, for 2 days a week, under supervision from a qualified HCPC music therapist. This real-world industry experience will support you in applying theoretical knowledge and in developing your understanding of the work and role of the music therapist, including the ethical dimension of practice and collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues. The module commences with introductory visits to professional industry settings to meet with Music Therapists and gain in person real world experience of the role, settings and deeper critical understanding of dominant and non dominant approaches to therapeutic work. You will then shortlist, apply for and gain a placement in a setting of interest to you.  

This module equips Arts and Play Therapies students with the critical knowledge and skills to engage in evidence-informed and interdisciplinary professional practice. You will be introduced to research practice and a variety of methodological research frameworks. Interdisciplinary expertise and contemporary research will be used to explore qualitative and quantitative methodologies, arts-based and participatory approaches. You will gain skills in evaluating and modifying your practice once qualified through audit, service evaluation and research. You will develop a critical understanding of ethical frameworks, the standards of proficiency for your practice regulator, and evidence-based practice in the health and wellbeing sectors. This teaching will assist you in gaining skills in planning and writing a research proposal, reviewing literature, selecting an appropriate methodological framework and methods and considering the ethical implications of your area of research interest.

Building on the skills learnt on Placement 1 you will engage in a second placement for two days a week. This second placement allows you to work towards greater autonomy in your practice, including within your therapeutic decision-making, musical work and interdisciplinary engagement. You will refine your therapeutic skills, demonstrate an ability to work within and adapt to complex settings and new client groups or settings, and show readiness for professional practice. This module supports your development to meet HCPC standards, understand ethical and cultural competence, and use reflective practice, culminating in a holistic understanding of the music therapist’s role in a variety of settings and interdisciplinary teams and a readiness to work as a social game-changer.  

This final module provides you with structured opportunities to critically engage with your evolving music therapist professional identity and to further develop your readiness for ethical, service-user centred and inclusive professional practice. This module will provide opportunities to develop a high level of self-reflection and awareness in relation to your role and identity as a Music Therapist in practice, including your own positioning in your work in relation to service users from minoritised groups and with a range of health and wellbeing challenges. Further opportunities to reflect upon a range of dominant and non dominant approaches as appropriate to music therapy work is embedded within the module