THE MUSIC THERAPY TRUST

Syllabus of The Post Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy

The Postgraduate Diploma in Music Therapy is offered as a one year, full time course. The programme will be delivered through lectures, tutorials and practical workshops.

Students are guided systematically through a series of carefully designed steps towards professional competence, initially focussing on music skills and an introduction to theory, moving towards the practical implementation of these skills through supported clinical practice.

The Course is divided into 3 terms :

TERM ONE

1. INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC THERAPY

   This module focuses on the techniques, processes and theory of music therapy. Through a systematic presentation of casework, students will examine different ways in which music may be used creatively to establish therapeutic relationships.

2. MUSIC STUDIES: CLINICAL IMPROVISATION

Clinical improvisation helps the student to explore and develop the interactional aspects of their own improvisation skills, relating these to specific theoretical concepts.

3. MUSIC THERAPY OBSERVATION

   Students will observe an experienced music therapist working with individuals or groups in a clinical setting. Opportunities will be provided for clinical reflection on these sessions. Visits will take place to potential work settings.

TERM TWO

1. MUSIC STUDIES: CLINICAL IMPROVISATION

Students will continue to develop their own clinical styles, particularly within a specific cultural context and setting.

2. MUSIC THERAPY PLACEMENT

Placements lie at the heart of the music therapy programme. Students will offer weekly music therapy sessions to one individual in the specified setting. The work will be supported by weekly group supervisions in the training centre. This work will form the basis for a case study contributing towards the final diploma.

3. CLINICAL CONTEXT FOR MUSIC THERAPY

Music therapists need to be equipped to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team with a wide range of different client groups. This module will provide an introduction to child development and the ways normal development can be disrupted.

Visiting clinicians in related disciplines will provide a clinical context for:-

• Child Psychology
• General Pyschiatry
• Counsellor/psychotherapist

TERM THREE

1. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH

Students will be introduced to the research process and methodologies used in music therapy and other arts therapies. It will enable them to understand and to critically evaluate different methodologies and to consider what might be most useful in a research project.

2. MUSIC STUDIES: REPERTORIE

This module continues to build up further musical resources through workshops in voice, percussion and keyboard skills. Practical sessions may address problems encountered during the placements. Other practical sessions may include song-writing, the use of music and imagery, integrating art work with music and using recorded music.

3. PERSONAL THERAPY/COUNSELLING

Throughout the course students will attend a weekly group. Insight into personal and group process is a cornerstone of clinical practice. This is a mandatory requirement.

In addition, students will attend a monthly GIM (Guided Imagery in Music) group as an essential requirement for their personal development.