The role of professional associations in the recognition process

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to show the importance of the professional association in the process of legal recognition of the music therapy profession by taking into consideration three kinds of legitimacy: pragmatic, moral and cognitive legitimacy. The paper represents a prospective comparative analysis of the structure of professional music therapy associations, as well as the inner and outer circumstances that affect the process of legal recognition and regulation of music therapy as an independent profession. The material for reflection and analysis is represented by two questionnaires; the first one was filled out in 2009 by 26 representatives from each of the 26 member countries, and the second one in 2014 by 25 representatives from a total of 27 member countries of the European Music Therapy Confederation (EMTC). In addition, the report of the treasurer on the number of members for the mentioned years is included in the analysis. This is the first research of this kind under the EMTC and I have conducted it in order to contribute to the work of the board, the general assembly of EMTC and the European Music Therapy Register (EMTR) commission, with the hopes that it can be of value to music therapists in Europe.