Music Therapy Today - World Federation of Music Therapy

Fachner, J. (2007) Co-Therapists in Nordoff/Robbins Music Therapy. Music Therapy Today (Online
1st April) Vol.VIII (1) 39-55. available at http://musictherapyworld.net
PROCESS/ACTION-
RELATED ATTITUDE
AND PROBLEM AREAS
music, therapist and child, and they guide and direct the energy flow
between therapist and child. They convey a basic emotional experience.
On the basic attitude of the co-therapist
Attitude in this context means a categorical perspective that determines
the general evaluation of and approach to something, the knowledge of
something and also the pertinent forms of action and behaviour.
The basic attitude of the co-therapist is characterised by openness in per-
ception and awareness and an unbiased view of the child. The co-thera-
pist should not be guided excessively by other opinions (those of
physicians, psychologists, educationalists, non-music therapists etc.) of
the ability or lack of ability in a child. Music is a very specific form of
stimulation and not to be compared with other stimulating forms and con-
texts. Similar to the therapist, he does not start a session with a pre-
defined plan but develops and realizes his intention in the situational
relation with the client.
During sessions, the co-therapist has to be alert, must be present at the
right moment to provide physical help, for example. As a kind of „cata-
lyst of art“ he is the projection of therapist and child. The co-therapist is
the servant of patient and music in a facilitating capacity, with the inten-
tion of being helpful, humane, and supportive. His hope is that the patient
achieves some personal benefit; he does not determine nor structure the
objective but facilitates what may be achieved. He develops his personal
style from experience. He may follow his human instincts and the free
flow of his (also musical) ideas.
A co-therapist should always try to maintain a general overview of the
therapy situation. His perspective of the session differs from that of the
On the basic attitude of the co-therapist 42