Research in Music Therapy
Research in Music Therapy
by Potheini Vaiouli
Potheini Vaiouli has a strong, interdisciplinary background in early childhood education and music therapy (PhD in Early Childhood Special Education, Indiana University and MA in Music Therapy, New York University, US). Her research focuses on the socio-emotional development of children and young adults with a special focus on the use of music and music therapy strategies. She is currently working as a researcher at the University of Luxembourg.
Publications:
1. Enhancing Engagement and Early Literacy Through Music: Perspectives from Head Start Teachers
Vaiouli, P & Grimmet K (2020)
Vaiouli, P., & Grimmet, K. (2020). Enhancing Engagement and Early Literacy Through Music: Perspectives from Head Start Teachers. Journal of Education and Practice, 11(14), 11-20.
Music activities are a staple in young children’s lives. This study examines the perspectives of teachers during the implementation of a music – based intervention model developed to enhance engagement and early literacy development of young children within inclusive early childhood settings.
Vaiouli P., & Andreou G. (2022)
Vaiouli, P. & Andreou, G (2022). Promoting Communication for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Family-centered Music Therapy Intervention, Electronic Journal of Research in Educational Psychology,20(3), 533-560. ISSN: 1696-2095
Young children use sounds and music to communicate with their environment, long before they acquire language. The study presents a music therapy intervention designed to support communication abilities of autistic young children in collaboration with their parents.
Vaiouli, P., Grimmet, K., Ruich, L., (2015). “Bill is now singing”: Joint engagement and the emergence of social communication of three young children with autism. Autism, 19 (1), 73-83
Vaiouli, P., Grimmet K., Ruich L (2015)
Young children with autism spectrum disorder meet significant challenges in joint attention skills and in social communication. The study presents the stages of a music – therapy intervention model to promote engagement in three young children with autism in a kindergarten classroom.
Vaiouli P., Ogle L. (2015)
Vaiouli, P., Ogle, L., (2015). Music strategies to promote engagement and academic growth of young children with ASD in the inclusive classroom. Young Exceptional Children, 18(2), 19-28
Music activities in early childhood centers are a helpful and joyful way to engage young children and support their development. The paper presents applicable music therapy strategies for educators working in with young autistic children in early childhood settings.
Vaiouli P., Friesen A (2016)
Vaiouli, P., Friesen, A. (2016). The magic of music: Using songs to engage young children with autism spectrum disorders in early literacy activities with their peers. Childhood Education. 92(2), 126-133
The tones, patterns, and sounds in music can provide a helpful template for building
early literacy skills in young children, as they correspond to the tones, patterns, and
sounds in written and spoken language. In this article, the authors explore how the use of music
in the classroom can contribute to early literacy learning, and be particularly helpful
for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Highlights from Luxembourg - a testimonial from an intern
A testimonial from an intern
by Gohar Matevosyan
I would like to express my gratitude to Luxembourg’s Music Therapy Association for giving me the opportunity to carry out my internship in Luxembourg and to share about my valuable experience there.
I am Gohar Matevosyan, a music therapy master’s student from “SRH Heidelberg University”. For my first professional internship I applied to many places and happily I got accepted from Luxembourg’s Music Therapy Association. Even though English is not one of the official languages of the country, they gave me a chance to do my internship in English which was the first great thing. The second one was the professional team of association. They were very responsive, flexible, and supportive. I was lucky to have Mr. Olivier MALLACH as my supervisor from whom I have learnt a lot, he was open and willing to share his experience and always found time for my questions and needs. The president of the association Mrs. Isabelle Toussaint-Dartevelle was extremely helpful organizing my stay and making everything possible for a young student who really wants to learn and develop in this profession. So, I consider myself very lucky to have this opportunity to learn and grow in such a favorable environment and collaborate with these amazing people.
During my internship I had a chance to work in three different refugee camps. Mr. MALLACH represented me the program “Matenen” a music therapy project for and with young refugees and asylum seekers in Luxembourg, which is a special collaboration program by Luxembourg’s Music Therapy Association and Luxembourg’s Red Cross.1 It was a valuable experience to work with refugee population and to gain knowledge and experience from Mr. MALLACH who is a great music therapist and expert of this field.
On top of that, from 10-16th October I participated in “Mental Health Week” workshop in Luxembourg organized by Luxembourg’s Music Therapy Association and Luxembourg’s Art Therapy Association. On 27th November I participated in “Musical pedagogy and/ or music therapy” workshop in Luxembourg, which was a big event organized my Luxembourg’s Music Therapy Association. It mainly discussed the future possibilities of including music therapy as an inclusive education in music schools. These events allowed me to meet many professionals, and policy makers from different countries and to get more information about the system in their countries which was a great opportunity to build a professional network which is very important and necessary for students just starting their career in music therapy.
To sum up, I am very happy and grateful for having this experience working with Luxembourg’s Music Therapy Association, and for being a part of this professional team even for a short time, for gaining appropriate knowledge and developing my professional skills during my internship. And last, but not least, I really enjoyed my stay in Luxembourg, such a beautiful country with kind and warm people. It was an unforgettable experience on my way to becoming a music therapist.
1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHeUjX3O8ug&t=242s
https://musiktherapie.lu/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Publication_Mateneen_WHO-eng.pd
Music Therapy: 20 Years and the Hope for Recognition
Music Therapy: 20 Years and the Hope for Recognition
Article in the newspaper "Le Quotidien", published on January 30, 2024
The Music Therapy Association is celebrating its 20th anniversary, an occasion that will be marked by the creation of a federation aiming to defend the profession of music therapist, which remains unrecognized in Luxembourg.
This year, the Gesellschaft fir Musiktherapie zu Lëtzebuerg (GML) celebrates its 20th anniversary. Since its founding, the non-profit organization, recognized as a public-interest entity, has regularly organized exchange and study days, supervision and intervision sessions for music therapists, as well as conferences and presentations for the general public on music therapy—this therapy based on music and sound.
With the support of the Œuvre nationale de secours Grande-Duchesse-Charlotte and in partnership with the Luxembourg Red Cross, it has also been running the "Mateneen" project since late 2016: music therapy for the benefit of applicants for international protection (DPI) and beneficiaries of international protection (BPI).
This very special anniversary will be marked by numerous meetings organized throughout the year across the country to raise awareness and inform the public about music therapy.
It will also see the birth of the Lëtzebuergesch Federatioun fir Kënschtleresch Therapien (L’FEKT), a federation bringing together the GML and the Association luxembourgeoise des art-thérapeutes diplômés (ALAtD). Its primary mission will be to secure official recognition of the profession by national authorities.
Indeed, unlike other European countries such as Austria or Italy, Luxembourg does not recognize the profession of music therapist. As a result, the profession is not regulated, and therapy sessions are not eligible for reimbursement.
6,000 Music Therapists in Europe
In a statement released yesterday, the GML emphasized that in Europe, more than 6,000 music therapists work in the healthcare sector, schools, nursing homes, or private practices to assist children with learning difficulties, individuals on the autism spectrum or with behavioral disorders, adults suffering from depression, psychiatric disorders, psychological trauma, or anxiety, and elderly individuals with Parkinson’s disease or dementia.
The demand for music therapists is increasing, both from individuals and institutions, according to the GML. However, due to the lack of professional status, practitioners work under contracts as educators, nurses, psychologists, or teachers. This situation often leads newly graduated music therapists to practice in the country where they completed their training.
"The demand is there, and various stakeholders in the healthcare sector seem to agree that music therapy should have a place in Luxembourg. The GML therefore hopes that these recommendations will soon lead to positive outcomes," the statement concludes.
L’FEKT’s first meeting is scheduled for this Saturday, February 3, at 9:30 AM, with the general assembly at Patientevertriedung (Strassen), followed at 11:30 AM by a video conference titled "Our Voice, a Source of Joy" with Swiss music therapist Anne Bolli.
Fight for Recognition / Music and Art Therapists Found the “Lëtzebuergesch Federatioun fir Kënschtleresch Therapien
Fight for Recognition / Music and Art Therapists Found the “Lëtzebuergesch Federatioun fir Kënschtleresch Therapien”
Article in the daily newspaper "Tageblatt" from February 7, 2024
For years, music and art therapists have been fighting in vain for the recognition of their profession. To join forces, two associations are now founding the “Lëtzebuergesch Federatioun fir Kënschtleresch Therapien.”
“Creative media enhance your expressive abilities, especially for things that are (still) difficult to put into words.” This is how the Luxembourg Association of Art Therapists ALAtD (*Association luxembourgeoise des art-thérapeutes diplômés*) summarizes the purpose of art therapy. The problem, however, is that art therapists are still not a recognized professional group—just like music therapists.
"Art and music therapists fight for recognition in the grey area," wrote *Tageblatt* in an article back in 2018. But nothing has changed since then; therapists are still fighting for official recognition of their professional title.
In Luxembourg, two associations are active in this field: The *Gesellschaft fir Musiktherapie zu Lëtzebuerg* (GML), which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the ALAtD. To advance the official recognition of their profession—and because they are stronger together—the two associations will now merge into the “Lëtzebuergesch Federatioun fir Kënschtleresch Therapien,” likely in the spring of this year.
Established music therapists in Luxembourg can only practice their profession if they also have an additional qualification, such as being a therapist, explains Isabelle Toussaint-Dartevelle from GML. Today, however, in some countries, one can directly obtain a master’s degree in music or art therapy. “Since these professions are not recognized in Luxembourg, therapists often remain abroad after completing their studies and work there.”
The demand for music therapists, at least, is very high, says Toussaint-Dartevelle, and there are now even waiting lists. She points out that in the *Journal Officiel* of September 2023, art and music therapists were listed as shortage occupations. “A paradox that raises questions,” writes the GML in a press release. Currently, the two associations represent a total of 67 therapists. According to Isabelle Toussaint-Dartevelle, there are about 100 art or music therapists in Luxembourg. (c.mol.)
Parliamentary question
Uncategorized
Before the elections in October 2023, the GML, together with the ALAtD, asked a few questions to the political parties in order to find out about their intentions about reglementation of the arts therapies. Read their answers below.
Answers from political parties
•January 30, 2024•1 Minute
GML project for and with refugees
Uncategorized
Luxembourg’s Music Therapy Association [Gesellschaft fir Musiktherapie zu Lëtzebuerg asbl] (GML) started working for and with young refugees and asylum seekers in Luxembourg in December 2016. Since then, music therapy sessions are available in a group setting as well as for individuals.
Musical parameters, such as rhythm, melody and harmony, are used by certified music therapists to address acute stressors or past traumatic events. Quality of life and feelings of control – self-control or control of one’s surroundings – are some of the therapeutic objectives while using a non-verbal medium with often heavily traumatized young people.
In 2015 and 2016 Luxembourg – as with many other European countries –welcomed several migrants seeking asylum, hoping for a chance of a better life.
INTRODUCTION
Fleeing home, leaving behind family members and friends, and giving up a job, school and relationships – everything you were used to – constitute huge stress factors and would pose extraordinary life challenges for anyone. But in addition of a difficult journey with many uncertainties and unexpected setbacks, and arriving in an unknown country, not knowing where to go or who to turn to, may contribute to an even higher risk of developing psychological and/or psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress, emotional disorders, anxiety or general grief (1−3). Children and youth – unaccompanied or accompanied minors (UAM or AM) – are even more at risk. They are in a particularly vulnerable time of their lives and helping them to cope with what they had to endure, to be able to thrive and develop perspectives for their future, is of utmost importance (4).
Aware of the risks of mental health issues in refugee populations and knowing that music can be a strong and helpful medium in addressing problems – such as loss of control, restlessness, anxiety, depression, isolation or a lack of resources – faced by these people, Luxembourg’s Music Therapy Association [Gesellschaft fir Musiktherapie zu Lëtzebuerg asbl] (GML) received project funding from the Foundation Oeuvre [Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte]. The funding enabled the association to implement the music therapy project, Mateneen [Together], for minor refugees and asylum seekers living in the shelters run by the Luxembourg Red Cross. Since December 2016 weekly group sessions have been offered to young women and men from the refugee population.
Music, as a non-verbal medium, is the driving force behind the therapeutic relationship, helping to overcome language barriers and to open up constructive exchange as well as new channels of communication.
The GML defines music therapy as follows:
“Music therapy (MT) consists of using music to further, to
develop and to re-establish people’s physical and mental balance.
It mobilizes resources and its aim is to optimize quality of life through dealing with problems on a different level or through supporting a healing process.
As a non-verbal means of expression and communication, music appeals to people’s emotions; it stimulates cognitive as well as social and creative abilities, which will in turn allow the person to deal with the conflicts and challenges in life.
Due to the different parameters of music, MT, whether active and/or receptive, generates intrapsychic and relational processes. According to the respective need, a qualified music therapist approaches these processes in verbal or non-verbal, in individual or group therapy sessions.
MT belongs to the group of art therapies. Based upon psychotherapeutic schools and on the music therapist’s own training, the methods used in music therapy include elements from psychodynamic, behavioural, systemic, holistic-humanistic and integrative concepts.” (5)
The Oxford Handbook for Music Therapy divides the application of music therapy into four contexts: medical, developmental/educational, mental health, and community. The population range benefitting from MT extends from infants and children to adults and elderly adults (6). A relevant Cochrane review has shown moderate-quality evidence that music therapy is beneficiary in reducing depression in people with dementia (7).
Beck et al. provide an overview of the available research on the effect of music therapy on people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more specifically, on refugees with PTSD. Research shows that music therapy can reduce core PTSD symptoms, depression, hyperactivity, aggressive behaviour, anxiety and somatization, and increase social function, hope, resilience, sleep quality and quality of life (8). Most of these studies describe group music therapy interventions and improvisational music therapy while the more specific sleep- based studies analyse the effect of receptive music therapy (8).
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Group MT sessions aim to reduce stress and anxiety levels related to issues faced by young refugees and asylum seekers, such as the perilous conditions of their migration; loss of their linguistic, cultural and material references; and distance from their families.
Through MT, GML tries to contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of young refugees and asylum seekers, to make it easier for them to overcome their problems, through activating their personal resources, developing a form of resilience, and helping to integrate them into their new host environment.
•November 13, 2021•6 Minutes