Hi all,

In jotting down some ideas based on music domain areas, I came a across a couple of questions that I would love to have some feedback on. The ideas are grounded and based on the idea that musical are clinical goals. Can they be? Let’s say it’s within the context of relationship in music therapy. Can musical goals be clinical in the context of relating and developing deep relationships (looking solely at the musical)?

The following is based on the idea that when writing a music therapy goal plan, musical domain areas are not stressed enough, yes? No?

If music therapy is our area of expertise, and, the identity that we have chosen when deciding a profession, why do we, music therapists, focus on other domains areas outside of the musical when crafting a treatment plan? I do see, however, the importance of understanding and adapting to biological (including emotional) challenges that may interfere with a client’s ability to engage and relate and music, and musical considerations would have to be implemented based on each client’s individual differences, yes, I completely understand that, and I employ that idea into my own clinical work everyday. In the end, however, when crafting the goal plan, why do we not refer to only musical domain areas? Isn’t that the area that no other profession can claim? Isn’t that what separates us and makes us valuable on a treatment team that already consists of therapies focused on motor, speech, etc.? Why is our treatment plan not based on the musical?

To that end, my next questions are:

1) Are back-and-forth affective and robust interactions necessary for social-emotional development through the span of life (there are different levels of this, based on development. Adults require the same, just with more reflection, introspection, etc.)?

2) Can music therapy experiences, purely in the musical, facilitate back-and-forth affective and robust interactions necessary to engage in a range of musical experiences?

3) Can engaging in a wide range of music therapy experiences, purely in the musical, provide back-and-forth affective and robust interactions necessary for social-emotional development?

4) In your clinical work, in attempting to provide your client with the support that may facilitate robust interactions, where “is” your client musically? What is his/her musical process in the context of relating? What is the musical process between you (therapist) and client? What does it sound (uses only musical terms)? And, what would it sound like if he/she were able to accomplish this musical goal (using again, only musical terms)? Furthermore, what would be your musical objectives that you would implement in the treatment plan, in thinking developmentally, that may help lead your client into accomplishing such a sophisticated musical goal?

So, in determining your responses to question 4, wouldn’t the clinical goals musical goals? Wouldn’t your interventions and objective also be musical Yes? No? Maybe? If yes, why? If no, why? If maybe, why?

I would love to other chime in and share their ideas.

Thanks for reading!

Best,

John