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Embracing technological possibilities in the telehealth delivery of interactive music therapy
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Embracing technological possibilities in the telehealth delivery of interactive music therapy

Anna S. Cephas, Stephenie Sofield and Allison Millstein
Nordic journal of music therapy, v 31(3), pp 214-227
01 Jan 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2022.2040579
PMID: 35846834
url
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9282720View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified),  Open

Abstract

COVID-19 Music therapy telehealth therapeutic relationship
Given how many music therapists have shifted their practice to telehealth in accordance with COVID-19 public safety precautions, it is essential for clinicians not only to adjust to the virtual platform, but to embrace the therapeutic potential of technological tools. Just as music is considered a therapeutic agent in music therapy sessions, the authors assert that technology may also be conceptualized and utilized as a means of enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Referencing an interactive music therapy protocol adapted for telehealth as part of a pain management study, the authors examine ways in which different aspects of telehealth technology can be used by music therapists to support client goals and bolster the therapeutic relationship. Generalized clinical examples drawn from virtual sessions are incorporated to demonstrate the unique therapeutic possibilities for client agency, client self-efficacy, and the client-therapist relationship afforded by the telehealth platform. Among the possibilities afforded by telehealth are enriched opportunities for client choice, reinforcement of learning and implementing new transferrable skills, and enhancing the therapeutic relationship through collaborative troubleshooting and adapted interactive music experiences. Specific recommendations for music therapists are included to advance the conversation around best practices regarding telehealth. The authors discuss actionable items for music therapists such as utilizing screen-sharing options to enhance musical interactions, validating and exploring clients' use of technology for self-disclosure, and other strategies for harnessing the therapeutic potential of technology in virtual music therapy sessions.

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19 citations in Web of Science
19 citations in Scopus

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Rehabilitation
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