ISRAEL

The Israeli Association of Creative & Expressive Therapies
Section Music Therapy

Definition

Music Therapy is the beneficial use of a client-therapist’s interaction through music, in order to preserve healthy qualities, to promote development and change, and to achieve a better quality of life. The term music, includes both its basic components (frequency, duration, intensity and timbre), and music as a complex art form. The studies of music therapy consists of integration of theory, personal development and supervised practice. The theoretical studies are the basis of therapeutic thinking, consideration and assessment. The dynamic workshops are meant for self-development and emotional maturity, and the supervised work in clinical setting encourages the integration of professional skills.  

The music therapist is a professional who employs skills and an integrated knowledge derived from specific interdisciplinary training, combining a thorough knowledge of music and of therapeutic theories and methods.

Membership

Colleague* (Graduate member),* Registered member, * Registered supervisor.*

Historical Background

1971 - Official establishment of the I.C.E.T. by 10 members. 1980/2 - 3 post graduate training programs. 1981/2 - Central professional library + 3 libraries attached to the training programs. 2005 – 1330 members out of which 260 are music therapists.

Organisation and Committees

Chairperson, secretary, treasurer, registration, ethics, public relationship, regional,

professional. Study days and conferences are being held both for all sections of I.C.E.T as well as for each specific section.

Three Training programs

A. Music Therapy at the The David Yellin College of Education, Institute of Art Therapies. Founded in 1980/1 and directed till 2002 by Dr. Chava Sekeles; Since 2002 directed by Dr. Cochavit Elefant and Adva Frank-Schwebel.

Entry requirements

* B.A. in music and/or musicology (600-900 hours of music, grade average 85%) + an academic year in developmental psychology, introduction to psychology, theory of personality and psychopathology. * In some cases: B.A. in a therapeutic profession + thorough knowledge of music * Personal interview * A written examination * A dynamic oral examination (vocal & instrumental, individual and group) * Appropriate personality.

Approach

Developmental-Integrative model in music therapy/ Psycho-dynamic orientation/ (Eclectic)

Accentuation and integration of :

Complementary studies in music; psychology; medicine; special education; ethno-cultural aspects of music; research methods; integrative studies in music therapy (theory, workshops, internship, supervision); dance-movement & visual arts for self development; 2 written projects; final exams (total hours: 2430).

Degree: Professional diploma + M.A. in co-operation with The Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

B. Music Therapy at The Bar Ilan University. Founded by Dr. Dorit Amir 1982.

Approach: Humanistic (Eclectic)

Entry requirements

*B.A. in music and psychology (grade average 76%) or: *B.Mus. and completion of studies in psychology or: *B.A. in special Education and completion of studies in musicology & psychology *Personal interview & audition *Piano skills (at least 5 years) *An additional instrument (at least 3 years)

Accentuation and integration of:

Music therapy; psychology; movement therapy; psychology of music; vocal improvisations; internship; supervision; 3 written projects; final examination (Total hours: 1800)

Degree: M.A.

C. Music & Movement Therapy, Academy of Music at The Levinsky College of Education. founded by Mrs. Dalia Razin – 1982. Since 2000 directed by Dr. Nehama Yehuda and Miriam Druks.

Approach

Combined Music & Movement therapy / Psycho-dynamic orientation (Eclectic)

Entry requirements

* B.A. in music / musicology or: * B.A. in psychology + at least 600 hours of music

Verbal interview * Movement interview * Music audition.

Accentuation and integration of:

Music; movement; psychology; medical subjects; internship; supervision; drumming & Indian music-dance-philosophy; 2 written projects (1 case analysis; 1 research) (Total hours: 1750)

Degree:

Professional diploma.

Mutual features

Recognition

The 3 Programs are accredited by I.C.E.T., the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and/or the Committee of Higher Education.

B.A. (Post graduate programs)

Since 1988 the regulation of the I.C.E.T and the ministry of Health fixed an entry requirement of a bachelor degree for all programs (see variations) + pre-studies in psychology (see page 2).

The use and importance of music

All 3 programs accentuate the Being Process as well as the Doing Process; Music as Therapy and/or Music in Therapy, depending on the therapeutic situation.

Improvisations (music / movement)

Clinical improvisation is considered to be as a central therapeutic tool.

Bibliography

The professional bibliography used in the programs is composed of up-to-date books and article in Hebrew and English, as well as historical material from ancient times to present.

Reaserch

Music therapy research in Israel is gradually growing by programs and individuals cooperating nationally as well as internationally. Areas of research include: music in medicine, community music therapy, the ancients roots of music therapy, therapeutic music analysis and more.

Population

1.               Children in Special Education or in institutional setting

2.               Psychiatric patients (clinics, hospitals)

3.               Varied patients in general hospitals

4.               Patients in day care or day hospitalisation

5.               Elderly in geriatric and psycho-geriatric facilities

6.               Prisoners

7.               People in hostels and “Homes for Life”

8.               Patients in Child Developmental Centres

9.               Patients in Neurological Rehabilitation Centres

In addition music therapist work with normal-neurotics and others who choose to experience therapy, overcome crisis and improve the quality of life.

 I.C.E.T includes 1300 therapists from Dance-Movement, Music, Visual Arts, Drama, Biblio-therapy and Psychodrama.

I.C.E.T. helps new professional immigrants to find their way in the new country and the programs encourage new immigrants-students to integrate and overcome the difficulties.

I.C.E.T is a non-profitable and non-political association which believes in peace, in ethical attitude toward each human being and in the positive influence of the therapeutic arts on life and on well being.

 New complementary programs (2006)

1. Bibliotherapy for professional art therapists. 1 year long 8 weekly hours, at the David Yellin school of complementary studies.

2. Group psychotherapy for professional art therapists. 2 years 6 weekly hours, at the Levinsky school of complementary studies.

3. First year of life: movement, interrelationship, play and defense mechanisms. For professional art therapists, 1 year at the KibbutzimCollege.

4. Summer programs all over the country

Study days

1. Vocal psychotherapy – at The David Yellin College.

2. Arts Therapies with Adolescents - at The David Yellin College.

3. Prevention & rehabilitation through the arts with children and youth at risk – at Levinski College.

4. Integration of imagination, creativity and music in pair’s therapy – at the Kibbutzim College

5. The many colors of the song of the wind on the water – the Bar Ilan University.

Many therapists were busy during and after the last war with Lebanon in helping traumatized people, using techniques from our profession according to experience developed during years of war and terror.

Financial situation: the ICET is coping with severe problems and the new ICET journal had to wait for half a year for publishing. Most members supported the association as much as they could. Though the last war diminished our expectations to almost zero we hope for a positive change.

Delegate: Dr. Chava Sekeles, initiator and director of the Music Therapy Program at the Institute of Art Therapies, The David Yellin College, Jerusalem.