MUSC 226

MUSC 226: Experience-oriented Thinking in Music Therapy

Prerequisites: MUSC 163, a declared major of music therapr, or permission of instructor

Credit Hours: (2)

This course will provide students with an in-depth understanding of experience-oriented thinking in music therapy, which will focus on using music therapy to explore various experiences of being in music therapy. Various populations and methods will be approached from a reflexive process. Students will be provided with opportunities to think critically about when to use experience-oriented thinking in music therapy. They will learn skills and techniques within this means of working with clients.

Detailed Description of Course Content

Overview of Experience-oriented thinking
Experience-oriented thinking: assessment, treatment, evaluation, termination
Various theories that utilize this approach
Methods that allow for clients to explore, find insights and discover meanings
Appropriate documentation within this orientation
Possible uses within various populations

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

This course may include the following instructional strategies: lecture, experientials, student development of materials, student presentations, cooperative/group learning, writing-to-learn activities, oral and musical communication activities, and role-playing/simulation.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The following professional competencies, as outlined by the American Music Therapy Association, will be emphasized in this course. At the conclusion of the semester students will possess emphasized knowledge across the following areas as assessed through a variety of measures:

Demonstrate basic knowledge of the dynamics and processes of a therapist-client relationship.

Demonstrate basic knowledge of the dynamics and processes of therapy groups.

Demonstrate basic knowledge of accepted methods of major therapeutic approaches.

Principles and methods of music therapy assessment, treatment, evaluation, and termination for the populations specified in the Standards of Clinical Practice.

Philosophical, psychological, physiological, and sociological basis of music as therapy.

Select and implement effective culturally-based methods for assessing the client’s strengths, needs, musical preferences, level of musical functioning, and development.

Select or create music therapy experiences that meet the client's objectives.

Formulate goals and objectives for individual and group therapy based upon assessment findings.

Determine the client's appropriate music therapy group and/or individual placement.

Utilize therapeutic verbal skills in music therapy sessions.

Provide feedback on, reflect, rephrase, and translate the client's communications.

Promote a sense of group cohesiveness and/or a feeling of group membership.

Adhere to the Standards of Clinical Practice.

Communicate to other departments and staff the rationale for music therapy services and the role of the music therapist.

Define the role of music therapy in the client's total treatment program.

Assessment Measures

Mid-term and final exams, clinical paperwork that is typical for experience-oriented thinking in a variety of settings to capture client data and report on client progress, music playing experiences, reflections on readings and quizzes on readings, and video reflections of clinical settings.

Other Course Information

Review and Approval

April, 2019