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.)
