Music therapy and social recovery in flexible assertive community treatment

ABSTRACT Introduction While recovery has been highlighted as a prime aspect in the flexible assertive community treatment (FACT) model, research on the application of this model in Norway suggests that there is still a potential for providing service users with better participation in the local society. Music therapy has been highlighted as a form of intersubjective activity that is relational and can promote empowerment and personal recovery. The social aspect of recovery has been highlighted in recent years, and this article explores how music therapy, offered through FACT, may support social recovery for service users. Method The research design was that of a qualitative interview study. Six semi-structured, joint interviews were conducted with FACT service users and their music therapist. Results Using reflexive thematic analysis, the main theme music therapy as social recovery was generated, with four relating sub-themes: musicking as activity, musicking as social handcraft, musicking as togetherness, and musicking as network. Discussion Using the framework of social recovery, this article discusses the potential of music therapy within FACT as a collaborative activity that can provide recovery capital – including social and musical capital – and potentially contribute to social recovery.