Towards an open dialogue: Contemporary developments in the field of music therapy in Greece
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Date
2023
Citation
Kalliodi, C., Akoyunoglou, M., Adamopoulou, C., Froudaki, M. and Tsiris, G. (2023) ‘Towards an open dialogue: Contemporary developments in the field of music therapy in Greece’, Proceedings of the 9th Conference of G.S.M.E.
Abstract
The music therapy field in Greece has undergone important changes and advancements since
2016. These changes include the establishment of music therapy education programs, the
development of new service provision models, as well as the emergence of new professional
networks and of spaces for interdisciplinary dialogue (Tsiris & Kalliodi, 2020). These
advancements have multifaceted implications for the way that the discipline and the profession
of music therapy evolves within the country, as well as for the developing relation between the
Greek music therapy community and the international one (Ridder & Tsiris, 2015). The changing
ecology of the field includes emerging changes regarding the professional identity of music
therapists, the awareness of the general public about the profession, as well as the possibilities
for collaboration with other disciplines. However, the discourse regarding these changes and
their repercussions is restricted within narrow intra-professional circles and it rarely features in
public disciplinary reflections. Acknowledging the necessity and the benefits of such an open
reflective discourse (Stige, 2014), this symposium attempts to outline contemporary developments
in the field while raising questions and concerns in terms of three key dimensions: (a) music
therapy practice and service development, (b) the importance and the role of professional
networks, and (c) music therapists' education in terms of qualification, continued professional
education and lifelong learning. These dimensions are explored multidimensionally drawing on
the extensive experience of the speakers within different professional, educational and research
contexts in Greece and internationally. With ramifications for issues pertaining to ideologies and
sociopolitical values, this symposium aspires to promote a constructive dialogue with other
professionals from the wider field of music, health and wellbeing, while taking into consideration
the broader social context (Moss, 2021; Whitehead-Pleaux & Tan, 2019).