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.
