BELGIUM

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION

The Professional Association for Music Therapy is founded in March 1998 thanks to the enormous stimulus from the 4th European Congress that took place, April 1998 in Leuven, Belgium. The founders are Jos De Backer and Jan Van Camp. The first meeting 'Music Therapy and Psychiatry' was organised the day before the Congress in the University Centre Sint-Jozef in Kortenberg, and became an annual tradition.

The foundation of a professional association answered to the need to join every professional music therapist in the country and to protect our profession. Regulations agree upon the admission to the association as a 'candidate member' or a 'full member'.

The first initiative was the publication of a professional newspaper that appears two times a year since November 1998. It is a possibility to inform the members of all activities and evolutions on professional matters. In several columns different subjects are discussed:

•  announcements and reports of meetings and workshops
•  articles about experiences and ideas
•  book reviews of recent literature
•  presentations of papers from last year students of music therapy
•  register of members

A following action is the organisation of workshops and lectures. The Professional Association has already invited Prof. L. Bunt, Prof. M. Valcke and Prof. G. di Franco.

Because the confrontation of every music therapist with the need to exchange professional experiences, the association is working on an intervision-network.

In conclusion the Professional Association of Music Therapy wants to promote and represent the profession to political, academic and professional organisations. A brochure with information has been sent to all people who are concerned.

Further information can be asked:

•  Professional Association of Music Therapy,Philipssite, Postbus 1120, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.

•  bmt@muziektherapie.net

MUSIC THERAPY TRAINING COURSE

at the College for Science and Art, Louvain.

The first official (in Belgium) course ‘Introduction to music therapy' was started in 1985 ( Prof. Jos De Backer ) at the College for Science and Art, Louvain. This course led to the idea of starting a professional training. This 5-year full time training is done with the co-operation of the Catholic University of Louvain and started in 1993. It is the only recognised training course in Belgium and is subsidised by the Belgium Government.

An officially recognised degree of ‘ Master of Music Therapy ' is awarded.

The philosophy of the training is psychoanalyticaly orientated. Ortho(ped)agogic music practice is also discussed at the same time as there is a great demand for this in Belgium.

Director of the Training Course: Prof. Jos De Backer.

Entry Requirements

•  Higher education certificate
•  Entrance exam consisting of a music exam and interviews.

Course Content

•  Theory of Music Therapy : Bases and principles of Music Therapy:
•  Methodology of Music Therapy
•  Study of Clinical Therapy: Study of case material.
•  Technical Studies
•  Personal development (active and receptive Group Music Therapy, personal psychotherapy (psychoanalysis).
•  Music Studies
•  Medical and related studies
•  Clinical practice and clinical observation, supervision
•  Assessment
•  Thesis At the end of the fifth year, the student should prepare a final thesis

The aim of the final thesis is for the candidate to examine the aspects of Music Therapy thoroughly and to evaluate and describe his work as a Music Therapist.

•  Course Philosophy : Psychoanalytically orientated.
•  Duration of studies : 5 years.
•  Contact Address : College for Science and Art, campus Lemmensinstituut, Leuven.

Literatur

- Wigram, T. & J., De Backer (ed.), Clinical applications of Music Therapy in Developmental Disability, Paediatrics and Neurology, Jessica Kingsley Publisher, London, 1999

- Wigram, T. & J. De Backer (ed.), Clinical applications in Music Therapy in Psychiatry , Jessica Kingsley Publisher, London, 1999

- Hadley, S. Casestudies in Psychodynamic Music Therapy, Barcelona Publishers, 2002

- Wigram, T. et al. A Comprehensive guide to Music Therapy, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2002