23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

In the field of special education (education of
handicapped children), music therapy evolved out of
the work of music teachers and educators who were
progressively trained to de therapeutic work cith
children with special needs. This kind of practice mainly
includes recreational music activities with therapeutic
implications such as handicap-rehabilitation and
emotional support. These activities are organized and
carried throught in accordance to the functioning level
and the psychoeducational goals that are established
for each child.
Some music educations methods (Orff, Willems,
Kodaly) are applied by educator/therapist who directs
the musical activities towards the achievement of nonmusical
goals. Folk music and musical games are often
used as a source of material for the sessions.
The second trend evolved from the work of mental
1048
health profeccionals who are musically trained. Musical
activities were progressively included in their
therapeutic work chich is evolving from therapeutic
recreational activities into a forma of supportive
psychotherapy. This kind of work includes both musiclistening
and musical improvisation work in day
treamente agencies with multidisciplinary teams and
are supevised by psychoanalytically oriented
psichologists and psychiatrists.
Even though this trend was initiated in the work with
adults, it also takes form, at the current moment, in
some intervention project with emotionally disturbed
childrem and adolescents.
In the near future, the field of music therapy in Portugal
will greatly benefit from the establishment of an official
association that will join the efforts of all the techinicians
incolved and create a professional community that is