Music therapy in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: An overview and some perspectives on dementia and end-of-life care

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56883/aijmt.2020.180

Keywords:

music therapy, Occupied Palestinian Territories (OTP), dementia, end-of-life care

Abstract

This report discusses the practice of music therapy in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), with a focus on the field of dementia and end-of-life care. It reviews music therapy in general in this part of the world, and also explores the extent to which music therapy is implemented and made available to the general public. Matters relating to access to music therapy trainings are also examined. The impact of culture and lack of trained music therapists in the OPT mean that at present, music therapy work in general is limited. The report concludes by offering glimpses into current initiatives and potential developments for the profession.

Author Biographies

  • Buran Saada, Independent scholar, Occupied Palestinian Territories

    Buran Saada, MA, is a Palestinian music therapist who received her training at the David Yellin College. She is also a professional singer. She works primarily with children with special needs but has also worked on projects with women with breast cancer and young people who have spent time in prison. Buran has also carried out therapeutic music skill-sharing projects for teachers and healthcare professionals in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. [burans.saada@gmail.com] 

  • Elizabeth Coombes, University of South Wales, UK

    Elizabeth Coombes, MA, FHEA, FAMI, BMus (Lond), is a registered music therapist (HCPC), course leader of the MA Music Therapy course at the University of South Wales, Newport and musician. Since qualifying in 2000, Elizabeth has specialised in working with children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. She has worked on therapeutic music skill-sharing projects in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 2009, and has also undertaken such work in the UK. She has a particular interest in how sharing these skills with non-musicians such as teachers, social workers and carers can enrich their professional practice. She has recently completed a research project in the field of music therapy and neonatal care as part of her PhD at the University of South Wales. [elizabeth.coombes@southwales.ac.uk]

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Published

2020-06-02

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2020)

Section

SPECIAL FEATURE | Music therapy in dementia and end-of-life care: Mediterranean perspectives | Reports

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Copyright (c) 2024 Buran Saada, Elizabeth Coombes

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.