Reflections on Music Therapy and Arts in Health

Abstract

This article is a structured reflection on the author's experiences of both music therapy and arts and health work within healthcare services and an exploration of the relationship between these two distinct but related practices. It offers examples of various models of using music in healthcare settings, presents definitions of both music therapy and arts and health, and finally explores three key issues that arise when arts and health practice and music therapy meet in healthcare settings. The aim is to raise questions and encourage music therapists to reflect on how they can best interact with arts and health practitioners in their workplaces as well as how they can most effectively define their own work.

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