• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.31-48
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• 2016

This study investigated how music therapists perceive the professionalism of the profession. A total of 98 certified music therapists completed the online survey for a 46.7% response rate, and 78 questionnaires were included in the analysis after excluding incomplete responses. The results of this study demonstrated that music therapists show a high level of standards for music therapy professionalism in general. Meanwhile, the respondents gave their lowest rating on the perception of their occupation as a social service addressing the needs of society. The majority of respondents rated the level of their professionalism as high and they tended to identify individual competency as the most important factor. Also, there were significant differences in perceived professionalism depending on the length of clinical practice and level of education. These results indicate that the quality of training may contribute to a high level of perception on professionalism. Also, lower levels of perception on social aspects of the professionalism support the need for continuing education to broaden the understanding of professionalism. Given the importance of professionalism in enhancing the quality of care for clients and expanding the profession, further studies were suggested to increase understanding of the music therapy professionalism and propose strategies for maintaining the professionalism of music therapists.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.103-122
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate music therapists' awareness of the music therapy national certification (MTNC). Online questionnaires were distributed to music therapists who voluntarily agreed to participate in this research and 143 completed surveys were collected for analysis. The questionnaire consisted of 37 questions (background information, awareness of the necessity for MTNC, expected effects of national certification, and qualification management). According to the collected data, music therapists reported that they were highly aware of the necessity for MTNC. The participants believed that excessive issueing of private licenses might deteriorate the quality of music therapy services and job opportunities. As alternatives to address private license-related issues, participants agreed with the establishment of national certification system. Given that participants did not have enough knowledge of MTNC and the MTNC may have both pros and cons, the results should be generalized with caution. Still, this study could provide basic information for further discussion on the establishment of MTNC.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.61-77
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate music therapists'use and perception of computer-based music technology. Questionnaires were distributed either electronically or in-person to 367 music therapists with credentials. Of the 367 initially distributed questionnaires, 101 were returned and 61 were analyzed after excluding 40 incomplete responses. The survey was comprised of two sections: the use of music technology and perceived importance of music technology in music therapy practice. The results showed that 65.6% of the respondents had used music technology in their clinical practice. The most frequently used type of music technology was Finale, followed by Garage band, and Cubase. With regard to the areas where music technology was used, it was implemented primarily for adolescents for musical or emotional goals, and was applied most frequently as a musical resource. In addition, most respondents showed a positive attitude toward music technology and added that they would need to be trained to use music technology for their clinical practice. These results provide practical information on how music therapists use and perceive computer-based music technology, and its implication for music therapy clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to convergently investigate the perception of home-visiting music therapy services. For this, a survey was conducted on 74 persons divided into two groups, which are pre-service music therapists attending the graduate schools of music therapy and professional music therapists with certifications. As a result, first, the awareness of home-visiting music therapy service was lower than that of preexisting home-visiting services, but the necessity and expected effect were similar to them. Second, in the operational plans, there was shown a higher ratio of 40-minute services twice a week held by governmental or public organizations. Third, there were significant differences in subitems of trends and expected effects of the home-visiting music therapy service according to whether or not to hold a certification and to have experiences in providing the services. This study could be expected to provide basic data for the home-visiting music therapy being utilized as a field of music therapy. Based on the study, the establishment of practical service strategy could be suggested.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.47-63
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception of current music therapy curriculum perceived by music therapy graduate students who are currently enrolled in the program. A total of 100 students responded. The subject 'music therapy techniques'(23.2%) was identified as highly regarded topic as important subject matter. Respondents showed different levels of skills and confidence according to their previous major areas; music vs. non-music major. Regarding the clinical practicum, students in the higher level practicum showed higher competence; however the level of competence was decreased as they entered the internship. Also 'Counseling and psychology related subjects' was the most preferred subject (19.7%) and 'professionalism as a music therapist' was the most significant factor indicated by the respondents(51.8%). Overall, general information and perception regarding music therapy curriculum was described, and the results implies the importance and needs of future music therapy curriculum development.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.17-30
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• 2016

This study aimed to examine the current state of music therapy for adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) by conducting a survey of music therapists. Completed surveys from 32 certified music therapists were included for analysis. The questionnaire was composed of 38 items that asked about the participants' background, work environment and music therapy implementation experience (including assessment, goal establishment, intervention strategy and difficulties). The results of the study showed that music therapy for adults with ID was practiced in diverse facilities. Enhancing social interaction was the most frequently set goal by music therapists, whereas facilities mostly required the music therapy services for emotional stability. Also, instrument playing was used most among music activities, and musical structure was considered most when choosing music for therapy. Among the influential institutional factors, characteristics of the facility were considered most frequently, and the level of functioning was the most considered in terms of client-related factors. To advance the effective use of music therapy interventions with adults with ID, development of music therapy assessment tools and more active communication with facility staff were also suggested when working with this population.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.19-40
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• 2016

This study provides numerical data on the status of music therapy practices in 54 hospice and palliative care settings in Korea. Two different questionnaires for music therapists and coordinators were sent to 54 coordinators via email, and 47 (87%) hospitals and centers replied by email or post. The survey period was October 30 through December 5, 2014. Music therapists were asked to respond to 65 questionnaire items regarding working conditions, environment, session process, and personal competence. Coordinators were asked to complete 28 questionnaire items regarding the status of music therapy in their perspective setting. Twenty-two (46.8%) hospitals and centers were running music therapy programs with 28 music therapists, and 19 (67.9%) of these music therapists majored in music therapy. There was a significant difference between music therapists (M= 3.43, SD = 0.96) and coordinators (M= 2.73, SD = 0.77) regarding conditions and environment of music therapy sessions (p < .05). The circumstances and conditions for music therapy are inad quate for optimal implementation of music therapy practice. However, the perceived benefits of music therapy by coordinators suggest that music therapists do play an important role in hospice and palliative care. This research provides the first quantitative baseline data of music therapy status in hospice and palliative care settings in Korea.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.19-45
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to offer fundamental data to manage countertransference, and to research into countertransference management ability by aspects in therapists' experiences in countertransference and their professional characters. For the paper, a survey was conducted on 62 music therapists who provided professional music therapy after finishing graduate school of music therapy through clinical practice and internship, and the result was drawn as follows. Around 84% of participants answered that they had been in trouble by countertransference in the analysis of a questionnaire regarding experience in countertransference. 48% among them first experienced countertransference during the practice in graduate school. 27% and 14% respectively answered that they experienced it within 3 years after graduation and during internship. Also, the result showed that therapists usually had difficulty with adults with mental disease, and the second most difficult clients were children with developmental disabilities. 76% of participants who had difficulty by countertransference answered that they were able to manage it to some degree, and almost all who answered thought that research into countertransference and management were necessary. About the question as to how to manage countertransference, 54% suggested self-analysis and self-therapy. 33% answered that countertransference should be treated through supervision. Finally, 13% of participants answered that it should be handled in graduate school. In this paper, which empirically examined therapists' experience in countertransference and countertransference management ability had meaning in providing essential basic data for music therapists to apply and manage countertransference for therapists themselves, as well as for clients.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2006

It has been passed more than 50 years of the history of music therapy on school aged children since there had been enforced the 'Education for All Handicapped Children Ace' in United states 1975, which had made an important role of music therapist augmented. In the case of South Korea, through reforming the law on March 2005 that therapist educator has to be allocated on the special class in general school, at least, patrol teacher is charged on that, which made possible to start music therapy as initial stage was realized in realistic way on the spot of school. This research has primary concerns as following. The one thing is intended that figuring the opinions of special educators and music therapists involved with the music therapy in elementary school. And the other thing is intended that making a investigation of actual condition on the spot of existing school, moreover, pinpointing at issue and suggesting the change for the better than now. In order to undertake theses intentions, I examined preceding researches and existing data, distributed the questionnaire involved the music therapy of elementary school to the people who are composed of special educators-65 persons and music therapists-30 persons from 18th October to second of November, and analyzed collected by descriptive statistics. According to the analyzed results, it says that special educator and music therapist know well about the necessity of music therapy in elementary school and its effectiveness is manifested in positive way. Moreover, in order to systemize and promote a program of music therapy, what is most urgent thing is the completion of instrument and music therapy room and there are needed strong supports at the level of nation and institution. It has become pervasive on the demand of therapy education by parents in all of the places involved with disabled children such as special school, special class, local welfare community, and early education. This research shows that how therapy and education was connected as music therapy on the spot of the elementary school, and the necessity of the education of music therapy.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-117
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate music and imagery (MI) experiences in group settings using a qualitative case study approach. For this purpose, a focus group interview was conducted with four professional music therapists, who participated in peer MI group sessions without a therapist. Data collected from the interview were analyzed by qualitative data analysis procedures. Results demonstrated that successful group music experiences in the early stages, such as sharing and selecting music together within the group or experiencing group support, leaded to developing trust towards music and the group in participants. Moreover, the trust built upon such basis was shown to facilitate expansions in emotional experiences, imageries, relational aspects, and music resources, which led to new personal insights. In addition, the participants recognized the supportive nature of the group played a role of encouraging participants to challenge new experiences during MI experiences. The results suggest that group as a therapeutic factor can promote expansive emotional experiences and insights. Furthermore, the findings may provide implications for music psychotherapy applications in group settings.