Exploring a student music therapist’s experience of supporting safe transitions from an acute inpatient mental health setting to the community: A multiple case study

Abstract

This multiple case study explores a student music therapist’s experience of supporting safe transitions from an acute inpatient mental health setting to the community. This transition is a vulnerable period in the care pathway that has long been associated with risk and adverse outcomes for service users. While literature explores professional and service user’s experiences of this transition and their perceptions of safety outcomes, there is a need to understand more about how music therapists may assist this transition. Data was generated from the student’s reflective process notes and analysed by applying a hermeneutic circle. Findings were presented in the form of four case studies. The findings indicate that music therapy may support the transition through 1) providing opportunities for service-users to manage their distress and communicate their needs 2) the development of supportive relationships and 3) communication between inpatient and community teams. Transitions were perceived to be safe when they were gradual, anticipated, supported through relationships, and when communication was clearly coordinated between services. However, the findings also reveal that music therapists may encounter several challenges to supporting the transitional process in this environment. Thus, future studies should consider what is valued most by those in recovery, to determine where music therapists should focus their efforts moving forward.