.jpg)
Bhuvaneswari Ramesh
Regional Liaison, Southeast Asian Region
World Federation of Music Therapy
Having been connected to World Federation of Music Therapy(WFMT) since 2014, the growth of Music therapy through the decade in certain parts of the Southeast Asian region has brought a marked change with more music therapists reaching out for support and finding a place to learn and start programs for music therapy. There is a lot more awareness, though not sufficient to make a huge step towards education and practice.
Trying to connect with and locate the right people in these countries as part of my work as the regional liaison has been quite rewarding. While the stories of those who found a way through to learning music therapy have only been heartwarming and inspiring, the stories of those who took steps towards supporting growth and connecting many of us has been overwhelming and gratifying.
This is a journey of connections and growth that has given me this opportunity to write this blog on the status of Music therapy as the regional liaison of Southeast Asia. The countries that fall under this region are Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and the South Asian countries of India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal. So far, there are countries that have been showcasing Music therapy education and practice in Thailand, Indonesia and India, and in the last few years in Philippines as well.
Education, clinical practice and research
Thailand, Indonesia & Philippines have music therapy under the bachelor and Master of arts, while the course in India is a Master’s in Science in Music Therapy provided as part of a Healthcare university, apart from the short term courses, Post Graduate Diploma In Music Therapy, that are available through private institutions. Research and practice have also been on going for the past 12-15 years in each of these countries.
Associations
Thailand and Indonesia have an association for Music therapy. In India, there is an association for music therapy, but was founded by self-proclaimed, therapists with a background in in Music, medicine and psychology.
Countries with independent music therapists
This term I have been able to contact some of them from Myanmar, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The search is ongoing for details from other countries. The contact person had to study in a different country and try to practice in their own countries. The path towards offering programs in music therapy is still in the process. One of them from Myanmar, has studied Music Therapy in Thailand and is looking to find some place to equip herself ahead of trying to find a path in Myanmar. The contact from Nepal did his post graduate diploma in Music therapy in India and has been actively practicing Music therapy. He along with one of his colleagues who also studied in India started a short-term program in Nepal, providing training for music therapy. Both these contacts are currently conducting events and try to connect with the right people to create awareness for Music therapy. The person from Sri Lanka is currently studying her master’s in science in Medical Music Therapy and hopes to find a place to start Practicing in Sri Lanka. As part of gathering information for this blog, she has found a university providing an elective course in their curriculum and looks positively towards starting at her hometown.
Music Therapists
Though work has been ongoing for the last 15 years, the number of music therapists practicing actively are far and wide away. The major challenges have bureaucracy, acceptance into mainstream education systems and job opportunities apart from which there are many self-proclaimed music therapists from varied backgrounds who have created a huge wedge between those who have trained themselves.
Acceptance of Music therapy into Mainstream healthcare and practice:
Music therapy has not been recognized as a standard of care in Mainstream healthcare systems across these countries. Though there are a few educational institutions and medical settings that have provided the space for music therapy, there is a timeline of at least 5 to ten years until it will be accepted into mainstream healthcare. However, the positive aspect is that there music therapists who have been trying to find a foothold and push through to start practicing music therapy and advocating for it in many spaces such as colleges, educational institutions, Rehabilitation centers to add a few. There is also
The Buzz for December 2024 will showcase the details of the countries in a more elaborate fashion, with the information about the music therapist who has taken the time to provide me with all the information with a short period. I acknowledge and thank Puchong Chimpiboon from Thailand, Czarina Cruel and her team from Philippines, Renata from Indonesia, Sarthak Dunguna from Nepal, Abigail from Myanmar, Uthpala Gajamanne from Sri Lanka, Jenita Caren from India. I would like to thank Dr Petra Kern, Dr Dena Register and Dr Indra Selvarajah for being there and guiding us with their support and expertise to carry out our work with more confidence to find better ways to take music therapy forward in our countries.
