Acute care mental health workers’ assumptions and expectations of music therapy: A qualitative investigation

Abstract

A small number of papers indicate that music therapists are interested in how their work is perceived by other healthcare professionals. The research reported in this paper examined assumptions and expectations of music therapy by mental health professionals in order to understand better how music therapists might use effective strategies to empower greater knowledge of their practice and services. We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven clinical staff members of an acute mental health facility that did not have music therapy. Data were analyzed via the six phases of thematic analysis. Member checking and trustworthiness were also used. Guided by the interplay between the user, mu..