Glimpses into the challenges and opportunities of a new training programme: The MA Music Therapy programme at the University of South Wales

Abstract

It may be said that music therapy training in the UK has come to maturity since most of the current Master’s programmes now have a history of more than a decade. The recently founded music therapy training programme in South Wales seems to have benefited from the existing experience of earlier courses in the UK but has had to take into consideration the unique features of the area in which it serves. In this interview Elizabeth Coombes, the Course Leader of the MA Music Therapy at the University of South Wales, shares with the readership of Approaches facts, ideas and ethical considerations regarding the planning and implementation of this new programme. The discussion between Elizabeth Coombes and the interviewer Ioanna Etmektsoglou touches on themes such as the adaptation to the unique local features of the area, the applicants’ necessary skills and the interview approach, the development of musical skills during the course, the nature and length of the music experiential group and personal psychotherapy as well as the counselling services provided by the university. Clinical placements and work possibilities for UK and international graduates are also discussed. The interviewer concludes with some thoughts regarding the relevance of the interview to music therapists in Greece.