Developing Clinical Perspectives: Reflections on Student and Teacher Experiences of an Undergraduate Music Therapy Course

Abstract

Abstract Centered in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, we describe and reflect upon student and teacher experiences of an undergraduate music therapy course in which students are introduced to two core clinical perspectives derived from the music therapy literature: decision-making and case formulation. Guiding the reader through four interrelated course phases, we discuss key content areas, challenges students encountered, and the ways the course instructors engaged with and worked through these challenges. Key learning outcomes are identified, specifically focusing on the importance of 1) teaching multiple perspectives early in a music therapy curriculum, 2) prerequisite knowledge, 3) musical competence, and 4) an integrated curriculum. In doing so, we advocate for an integral perspective to clinical practice, through which students develop the ability to locate themselves and shift perspectives in service of their clients.