An eye-opening experience from around the world – WCMT 2017I was given an amazing opportunity to attend the 2017 World Congress of Music Therapy (WCMT) in Tsukuba, Japan. This is my first time attending a world congress and also was my first visit to Japan. I was very excited. I was really impressed when I received the programme of WCMT. Many presenters from around the world were gathered to share their knowledge and researches. The presentation topics cover from the different approaches in music therapy, music therapy work with different client group populations, the aspects of cultural differences in music therapy, to self-care management for the therapists. There are many presentations that I really enjoyed and two presentations have given me a strong impression; (1) Focal Music Therapy in Obstetric (FMTO) with Teen Pregnancy, and (2) Sound and Safe: A Music Psychotherapy Approach to the Treatment of Trauma. The first presentation was presented by Gabriel Fabian Federico from Argentina, describing the social concern of teen pregnancy in Argentina. Gabriel’s work focuses on the well-being of the teenage mothers who are not fully ready for the adult world and yet to be ready to become a mother; and also the well-being of the baby in the mothers’ womb. I give my full respect to what Gabriel has done to contribute to his society. The second presentation was presented by Brian T Harris from the USA. Brian shared his case with a lady who had a severe traumatic experience. Brian’s presentation was straight forwards, like a story-telling and easy to understand, but his work with this client whom he has built a strong relationship with, touches the heart of the audience across the seats. Music therapy with psychotherapy approach is what I wanted to learn in my future journey as a music therapist. Brian’s presentation had inspired me further and I am more assured than before of what I wanted to do next.Cheong Xing YiStudent at Anglia Ruskin University (graduate in 2017), Cambridge, United Kingdom2017 WCMT Student Scholarship Recipient
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