Neurologic Music Therapists are increasingly being integrated within Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs), particularly within the area of neuro-rehabilitation. This integrated approach is common in work globally, and this presentation explores the current theoretical approaches to MDT working. It also explores the current research base that highlights the experiences of Music Therapists working within such teams globally. From this context, the results of new research carried out by the presenter are discussed within this under-researched area. The results of this study show the ways in which the knowledge base around Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and MDT working are established, alongside the identified strengths and challenges to this way of working. Suggestions for developments within this area across the profession are made, as well as suggestions for future research.

In this presentation, music therapists will hear case examples of the use of live heartbeat sounds through a Bluetooth stethoscope entrained with live music to address self-regulation, self-esteem, and resilience. Offering an overview of emerging neuroscience research on the brain-body equilibrium, the session will cover how music supports interoception and self-awareness in ways that can also modulate mood, emotions, and self-regulation. These concepts are relevant to music therapists worldwide as they provide a framework by which to understand the holistic and neurobiological impact of rhythm and music on the human body, securing the perspective that music therapy is neurologically, biologically, and psychologically beneficial as a standalone therapy when implemented through an intentional, evidence-based framework. Suggestions for incorporating live biofeedback into sessions, using a neurobiological approach to interdisciplinary collaboration, and implications for multiple populations will be discussed.

This presentation will include a definition about what The Neuroexperiential Model (NEM) is and some information about how it was developed and how it can relate to Music Therapy. Information about the cutting-edge trauma treatment of Brainspotting will be shared and the possibilities for Music Therapists to become certified in this treatment and how Music Therapist and Brainspotting can be integrated.

Individuals with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) often report feeling emotionally numb and having difficulty accessing positive emotional states. This case study illustrates the Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) process with a 55-year-old Army Veteran experiencing PTSD following his deployment, highlighting the importance of deeply positive experiences in the healing of trauma and the power of the GIM process in supporting deeply positive experiences. Key Words: GIM, Veteran, PTSD

Music Performance Anxiety (MPA) is an experience of the nervous system being overwhelmed in an evaluative or performance-based situation. While music therapists are not performers, the work we do relies on performance skills. Some research has cited that as a whole, musicians score higher on anxiety measures than the general population which puts musicians at a pre-disposed place for decreased mental health and poses risk for compassion fatigue and burnout. MPA may also be a barrier to remaining present with a client or group in the moment of a music therapy intervention which could impair the therapeutic relationship, cause difficulties with gaining assessment information, and create an otherwise unsafe environment. It can also lead to questionable ethical decision-making and potentially physical harm of the therapist such as straining the voice to overcompensate for MPA. MPA can be experienced by students and professionals alike.

The connection between an individual’s mental state and the timbre of their voice is a well-established concept, often utilized intuitively by music therapists. However, this area remains underexplored from a scientific perspective. In this presentation, we will examine patterns of vocal habits through the client’s vocal apparatus and emphasize their application within music therapy and music psychotherapy as diagnostic, therapeutic, and supportive tools. Additionally, this presentation aims to provide practical instruments for incorporating voice work into music psychotherapy.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that the global population of forcibly displaced persons currently stands at 123.2 million at the end of 2024. Forced displacement occurs when people are compelled to leave their homeland for reasons including conflict, oppression, economic and natural crises. It brings with it a range of challenges for those who are displaced. Music and music therapy provide ways of working with those experiencing these complex and sometimes overwhelming experiences. This presentation will explore aspects of such work, using themes of building authentic cultural connections with displaced persons through music therapy, recognizing trauma and its impact on those displaced and those working in this area and what social transformations may occur because of this work. We will also explore whether mechanisms of change identified in music therapy in contemporary literature could be an area of future research in this work.

Cultural humility and responsiveness need to be at the heart of our praxis as music therapists to ensure we are respecting where individuals are from and actively seeking to accommodate our approach to the client’s cultural contexts, needs, and values. By initiating and inviting conversations about cultural diversity and identity into supervision we can further develop our own cultural humility as well as that of our supervisees. This presentation will overview these concepts alongside broader societal issues and health equity. Focus will be given to cross cultural transitions and psychological adaptations which require a therapist to acquire new skills, while navigating tensions between differing worldviews and cultural perspectives. A further nod to positioning music therapy within the continuum of music and health experiences will also assist participants in ensuring ethical practice and self-reflection on advancing our profession internationally.

This presentation offers an autoethnographic exploration of a Palestinian music therapist’s journey through war, displacement, and grief, and the impact of these experiences on clinical identity and practice. Relocating from Jaffa to Europe during a time of escalating violence, the therapist reflects on the interplay between personal trauma, cultural rupture, and professional adaptation. Through lived experience and clinical observation, the presentation examines the dual role of being both survivor and healer, and how music served as a vital tool for emotional regulation, reconnection, and resilience. Themes include the challenges of working with clients while coping with ongoing war, the reconstruction of professional identity in migration, and the transformative capacity of music to bridge past and present. The relevance for international music therapists lies in expanding awareness of therapist lived experience, especially in contexts of conflict, diaspora, and cultural transition.

As part of the presenter’s PhD research, they conducted an online survey to gather the opinions, thoughts and feelings of Autistic adults about music therapy practice. The survey was open to all English-speaking Autistic people, whether they had received music therapy previously or not, as well as Autistic music therapists. Although music therapists often work with Autistic people, most of the published literature refers to work with Autistic children, rather than adults, and very little music therapy literature has included the voices of Autistic adults themselves. The presenter’s own research seeks to centre and value the lived experience perspectives of Autistic people, from their own perspective as an Autistic music therapist and researcher. In this presentation, they will explore some of the ideas which emerged from the survey, and how these ideas could contribute towards creating a more accessible and effective form of music therapy practice with Autistic people.

Refugees and asylum seekers are in a particular vulnerable time of their lives and are in high risk of developing psychological and/ or psychiatric disorders (Papadopoulos & Shea, 2018). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global evidence indicates that creative arts and music activities are beneficial for their health and wellbeing. Still, access is often limited or considered less important when structuring health promotion and well-being projects. This exploratory case study examined the experiences of five refugees and asylums seekers during their participation in short-term, individual, music therapy services at a transit centre in Luxembourg.

This presentation explores the role of dyadic (parent-child) music therapy in enhancing parental perceptions and mentalization processes. Sixteen parent-child dyads (children aged 4–6) participated in the study. The intervention group (n=8) engaged in 12 sessions of dyadic music therapy, while the control group (n=8) received no therapeutic intervention during the same period. Parental representations were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS, Sher-Censor, 2015). Anticipated results suggest that parents in the intervention group will show greater reflective functioning, warmer, more empathic narratives and increased sensitivity toward their child’s inner world, compared to the control group. Framed by attachment theory, relational psychoanalysis, mentalization and communicative musicality, this study highlights how shared musical experiences can strengthen parent-child relationships and support reflective parenting. The presentation will discuss clinical implications for international music therapists working with families in diverse cultural contexts.

Worldwide, there is a growing population of children experiencing concurrent sensory, motor, and cognitive impairments. Practitioners often encounter challenges related to trust issues, heightened anxiety, and lack of motivation in these children. Drawing from my experience with the “Community of Families with Deafblind Individuals,” I have developed a contemporary methodology that utilizes music therapy to enhance communication, reduce anxiety, harmonize emotional states, and unlock the child’s potential. Furthermore, this approach fosters improved family dynamics and communication among relatives. This presentation aims to provide international music therapists with insights into effective strategies for engaging children with complex needs, ultimately promoting their well-being and development.

Although we, as music therapists, work with individuals with disabilities, we commonly do not consider the ramifications if a member of the music therapy community has a disability themselves. Throughout the educational process in the United States (US), many students face ableist situations which impede their experience or may prevent them from full participation. To this end, this presentation will engage the audience in a consideration of the effects of ableism on the experiences of music therapy students in the US and suggest considerations that could be implemented to minimize ableism.

Do you have a clinical project or experience you would like to share with the international music therapy community? Clinicians who publish in their areas of expertise educate peers so they can provide better care to clients. However, clinicians may consider scholarly writing and publishing out of reach. This brief session attempts to demystify scholarly writing and publishing and make this process more accessible for busy music therapy clinicians. Participants will identify the importance of writing by music therapy clinicians (i.e., ideas die in the basement), address common concerns holding us back from writing (i.e., embrace your fears), discuss the importance of small everyday writing habits (i.e., two minutes can change your life), and identify types of accessible projects and ethical considerations (i.e., nobody wants to get sued). Bring a curious mind and be ready to access your creativity to bring your ideas to life!

The presenter will share about her music therapy work in long-term care and how, with a feminist psychotherapy lens in mind, she has developed two special projects to contribute to increasing visibility and amplifying voices of individuals living in long-term care. One project features the voices of residents as radio DJs, sharing and responding to their favourite music: These are shared on radio and the internet. The other project, with the support of arts grants, brings composers into long-term care to work with and create music with/for a handbell choir. There will be audio and photo examples shared of the special projects. The special projects will be situated in an overview of the types of music therapy the presenter provides in the facility, and briefly what long-term care looks like more generally to provide context for international music therapists. Highlights from music therapy literature will be provided.

Music therapists across the globe bring unmatched expertise to the people and communities they serve. Trusting ourselves and fully embracing that expertise is essential to creating accessible, effective, and meaningful spaces for change.

Join music therapist Elizabeth Schwartz as she explores how music therapists, and music therapy as a profession, can confidently claim a seat at the table. Drawing from decades of clinical music therapy practice, years of legislative advocacy, and her scholarly study of music therapy musicianship, Elizabeth highlights the unique contributions music therapists bring to interdisciplinary work.

Through guided reflection and practical action steps, attendees will be empowered to articulate their value and advocate with clarity and confidence for themselves, their participants, and the profession of music therapy.