Reflecting on the growth of music therapy across a lifetime: Past, present and future insights

Abstract

The development of music therapy as a profession varies significantly across  global contexts, shaped by local education, clinical practice, and research  initiatives. Understanding these national and international trajectories is critical  to informing the profession’s ongoing evolution. This interview contributes to  that understanding by exploring the career and perspectives of Alison Short,  a leading Australian music therapy clinician, researcher, and educator. The timing of this interview is particularly significant, aligning with the 50th anniversary of the Australian Music Therapy Association (AMTA) in 2025, a milestone that invites reflection on the profession’s growth and future directions in Australia. The semi-structured interview process of the paper captures Short’s written responses to a series of questions focusing on her diverse professional experiences. These responses were further explored through virtual meetings, enabling deeper discussion and critical reflection. The resulting narrative highlights key themes that have shaped Short’s contributions to music therapy, relating to clinical practice, academia, research, the evolution of music therapy education in Australia, and the broader professional challenges and achievements witnessed over several decades.By exploring and documenting Short’s reflections, this interview offers valuable insights into the development of music therapy in Australia and the interrelationship between individual career trajectories and broader professional growth. These insights are not only relevant for understanding the Australian context but also contribute to global conversations about sustaining and advancing music therapy as a dynamic, evidence-informed, and person-centred profession.