Towards a more complete profile of a client in music therapy practice : a case study

Abstract

This research project explores how additional information and knowledge about a client’s life context and social community, might contribute to the music therapist’s understanding of the music therapy client. Since music therapists usually work within a therapeutic framework of ‘privacy and confidentiality’, such outside information tends to be unavailable in conventional music therapy practice. However, this therapeutic framework seems to be inappropriate in a setting such as the Youth Development Outreach Centre, as the music therapist experienced difficulties with her understanding of and relationship with the YDO client. The therapist questioned whether access to more information might help her to create a more complete profile of the client. This includes information about the client’s history, family background, hobbies, relationships, as well as social, emotional and behavioural contexts. For the purpose of this study, the information is gathered through three semi-structured interviews with the client, the client’s mother and the client’s mentor at YDO. These interviews and the therapist’s clinical notes are then examined and analysed to answer the research question.