About WFMT

What is WFMT?
The World Federation of Music Therapy, Incorporated is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the state of North Carolina, USA. Its aim is to promote music therapy throughout the world.
The World Federation of Music Therapy was formally established in Genoa, Italy in 1985, born out of a common vision among international music therapists to promote the profession globally. Among the ten founding members were Rolando Benenzon (Argentina), Giovannia Mutti (Italy), Jacques Jost (France) Barbara Hesser (USA), Amelia Oldfield (UK), Ruth Bright (Australia), Heinrich Otto Moll (Germany), Rafael Colon (Puerto Rico), Clementina Nastari (Brazil), and Tadeusz Natanson (Poland).

What is music therapy?
Music therapy is the professional use of music and its elements as an intervention in medical, educational, and everyday environments with individuals, groups, families, or communities who seek to optimize their quality of life and improve their physical, social, communicative, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health and wellbeing. Research, practice, education, and clinical training in music therapy are based on professional standards according to cultural, social, and political contexts (WFMT, 2011).

What is the purpose of WFMT?
To act as the international umbrella organization for the profession of music therapy.To promote the exchange of information about global music therapy throughout the Federation’s eight regions.To promote international collaborations among WFMT members and other related professional groups.To promote and advance equivalencies in clinical practice standards in music therapy.To promote and establish equivalencies in the standards of the education and training of music therapists.To promote and advance equivalencies in the standards and policies of the ethical conduct of music therapists.To promote the integration of research and ethics into the practice of music therapy throughout the world and support international research collaborations.To share information on accreditation and licensing procedures with the Federation’s members and establish equivalency standards for a global music therapy certification.To promote the official recognition of music therapy as a profession by governmental or non-governmental agencies throughout all regions of the world.To support response efforts of music therapists and communities affected by disasters.To disseminate information related to music therapy worldwide by using latest technology and multimedia.To coordinate and promote a World Congress of Music Therapy every three years.

How was WFMT formed?
The World Federation of Music Therapy was formally established in Genoa, Italy in 1985, born out of a common vision among international music therapists to promote the profession globally. Among the ten founding members were Rolando Benenzon (Argentina), Giovannia Mutti (Italy), Jacques Jost (France) Barbara Hesser (USA), Amelia Oldfield (UK), Ruth Bright (Australia), Heinrich Otto Moll (Germany), Rafael Colon (Puerto Rico), Clementina Nastari (Brazil), and Tadeusz Natanson (Poland).