Therapeutic Songwriting Practices with Cantonese-Speaking Clients: A Survey of Cantonese-Speaking Music Therapists.

Abstract

Therapeutic songwriting is a well-established music therapy method, yet its application in specific linguistic contexts remains understudied. Cantonese, a tonal language with six distinct tones that change word meanings based on pitch, presents unique challenges to songwriting processes. Despite its relevance, therapeutic songwriting in Cantonese-speaking contexts has received limited research attention. This study explored therapeutic songwriting practices among Cantonese-speaking music therapists, including their demographic and professional characteristics, practices at key decision points, and influencing factors. A 47-item anonymous online survey was distributed to all 74 members of the Hong Kong Music Therapy Association, with 41 respondents who used songwriting completing all or most questionnaire items. Descriptive statistical analysis of quantitative data and a qualitative content analysis were undertaken. Findings revealed that therapeutic songwriting is highly prevalent among Cantonese-speaking music therapists. Therapeutic songwriting was applied primarily with children, with self-expression being the most frequently reported therapeutic goal. Respondents used therapeutic songwriting in their practice because they found it meaningful to clients, it aligned with therapeutic goals, and they had observed positive outcomes. Cultural-linguistic factors, particularly Cantonese's tonal nature and multilingual backgrounds of clients and therapists, significantly shaped the songwriting process. Additionally, therapist confidence and personal enjoyment of songwriting significantly influenced usage frequency. As the first survey examining music therapists' perspectives in this non-Western, tonal language context, this research informs practice, training, and future studies in therapeutic songwriting in Cantonese-speaking regions and contributes to a broader understanding of therapeutic songwriting in linguistically diverse contexts.