Firstly – what is music therapy?
According to the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, music therapy is an established psychological clinical intervention, which is delivered by qualified music therapists, to help people of all ages, whose lives have been affected by injury, illness, or disability through supporting their psychological, emotional, cognitive, physical, communicative, and social needs.
Music Therapy in Trauma – can we be helped?
There has been a growing body of research to suggest that music therapy can be successfully used to support victims of trauma. Example of instances follow.
- New Orleans residents after Hurricane Katrina
- 9/11 terrorist attack victims
- Victims of Apartheid
According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy addressed trauma in these examples by providing:
- Non-verbal outlets for emotions associated with traumatic experiences
- Anxiety and stress reduction
- Positive changes in mood and emotional states
- Active and positive participant involvement in treatment
- Enhanced feelings of control, confidence, and empowerment
- Positive physiological changes, such as lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and relaxed muscle tension
Music Therapy in Trauma – Northern Irish Prospective
As pointed out by Radford (2001)[1], “People living in and from Northern Ireland continue to seek out ways to address the legacy of traumatic loss. Individually and collectively, we grapple to find appropriate ways both to process and to reflect on the harrowing events and the individuals attached to them that have impacted on our lives”.
Due to paramilitary forces, the past culture of violence, and the ongoing emotional wounds associated with “The Troubles” from the late 1960s-1998, there has been considerable and lingering trauma in individuals at both sides of the conflict.
Music is integral in situations that mark the life cycle, e.g., births, anniversaries, weddings, and funerals. Therefore, music becomes inherent and integrated within our lives, whether it is consciously placed or not.
As concluded by Shapiro (2005)[2], it is vastly beneficial within the therapeutic relationship for the therapist to share music that originates from the culture of the client.
In this proposed piece of work, I want to argue that British-trained music therapists (i.e., in 8 locations throughout the UK), need to be educated in Irish Traditional Music if they are planning to work in Northern Ireland. It is essential for clients of trauma to feel understood and reminded of their culture through music. Smyth (2002) states, “if the music therapist is not aware of and sensitive to these issues… [the music therapist] loses a golden opportunity to explore, through such associations, the divided and polarised contexts of the patient’s life” (pg. 59)[3].
I will interview 10 music therapists from around Northern Ireland to collate my data, and report on the essentiality of Irish Traditional Music in music therapy practice. I am hopeful that this will set precedent for all newly qualified music therapist’s embarking on a music therapy career in Northern Ireland.
[1] Radford, K., 2001. From Major to Minor – The Therapeutic Role of Music in Northern Ireland’s Victim/Survivor Sector. [online] Community-relations.org.uk. Available at: <https://www.community-relations.org.uk/sites/crc/files/media-files/From%20major%20to%20minor%20-%20the%20therapeutic%20role%20of%20music%20in%20northern%20ireland.pdf> [Accessed 10 April 2022].
[2] Shapiro, N., 2005. Sounds in the world: multi-cultural influences in music therapy in clinical practice and training. Music Therapy Perspectives, 23(1), pp.29-35.
[3] Smyth, M., 2002. Culture and Society – The role of creativity in healing and recovering one’s power after victimisation. In: Music, Music Therapy and Trauma: International Perspectives. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.