Unified Philosophy for Music Therapy: Solving the Identity Crisis Through Interdisciplinary Analysis
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the feasibility of a unifying philosophy for music therapy and to offer an identity for the music therapy profession that is appropriate for the various ways in which music therapy is practiced throughout the world. A systematic review of published music therapy approaches informed this investigation. The central research questions for this dissertation were: (a) Is it possible to articulate a unifying philosophy of music therapy that is inclusive of the diverse ways music therapy is currently practiced; and if so, (b) What might be that resultant integrated philosophy of music therapy? If an integrated or unified philosophy of music therapy and identity for the profession is possible to define, it may have implications for music therapy education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Using the unique interdisciplinary perspective of the Doctor of Liberal Studies (DLS) program at SMU, each major published approach, theory, and model of music therapy was analyzed to compare similarities and differences between them. Current research was examined to determine whether current music therapy practice supports the conclusions from the analysis. Each approach, theory, and model was analyzed to identify the complexity making it unique from other approaches, or the repetition making it similar to other approaches. Finally, an evaluation of whether a unifying philosophy of music therapy is possible, along with the implications for the profession regarding whether one is possible, was completed.
Degree Date
Spring 5-14-2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Graduate Liberal Studies and Dispute Resolution
Advisor
Julie Scott
Second Advisor
Robert Krout
Third Advisor
Lauren DiMaio
Subject Area
Music, Philosophy, Neuroscience, Humanities
Number of Pages
197
Format
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Lindstrom, Janice, "Unified Philosophy for Music Therapy: Solving the Identity Crisis Through Interdisciplinary Analysis" (2022). Graduate Liberal Studies Theses and Dissertations. 10.
https://scholar.smu.edu/simmons_gls_etds/10
Included in
Other Medical Specialties Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons, Theory and Philosophy Commons, Theory, Knowledge and Science Commons
Notes
Music Therapy