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Clinical music therapy practice is slowly taking its place in health care sectors like hospitals, rehabilitation centres, special education centres etc. The awareness for the need of music therapy practice, training and research is receiving wide recognition. The responses to the training programmes of music therapy have increased. Young people especially with a background in music, psychology, medicines and other allied areas are coming forward to take up music therapy courses and to work towards developing and establishing this profession in our region. Overall, music therapy has not yet received its recognition as a health care profession. Large participation by music therapy professionals and students at the World Congress of Music Therapy 2014 affirms the desire to advance the status of music therapy in Southeast Asia.In India there are two leading centres in the field- Chennai School of Music Therapy (CSMT), Chennai and Music Therapy Trust, Delhi. (Visit WFMT’s Regional Information page in the WFMT Publication Center for more information on both: https://www.wfmt.info//resource-centers/publication-center/regional-information/ Updates forthcoming.). Both offer a one year Post Graduate Diploma Program with opportunity for clinical internship and research related activities. CSMT also has an Online Certificate Programme for six months for professionals who want to integrate music into their respective work areas. Mahtma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute (MGMCRI), Pondicherry, is offering a one year Post Graduate Diploma in music therapy. A charitable organization called MEWSIC, a part of Brett Lee’s Foundation in Mumbai, India, provides music therapy services for the children. MEWSIC also has a partnership with the Australian Music Therapy Association.The Music Therapy Trust Nepal (TMTTN) provides music therapy services to children with special needs, street children and disadvantaged adults. This is the first initiative in the field of music therapy in Nepal in association with Otakar Kraus Music Therapy Trust UK and Music Therapy Trust India.The first Master’s degree programme in Music Therapy in Southeast Asia has been announced by Mahidol University College of Music in close collaboration with the University of Kansas, USA. The course started in June 2013. One training programme is offered by the Universitas Pelita Harapan Conservatory of Music in Indonesia, and there is yet another opportunity for training in Thailand.Please visit the WFMT Global Calendar to learn more about upcoming training opportunities in the region: https://www.wfmt.info//resource-centers/events-center/global-calendar-2/I welcome all allied health care professionals, researchers, teachers, and students of this region to explore music therapy training and research opportunities, to attend international conferences and to come forward to join hands together towards musical journey.Dr. Baishali Mukherjee, IndiaWMFT Regional Liaison, Southeast Asia
