Institute for Music Therapy
In 1998, music therapy was offered for the first time as a minor subject for the Magister programmes and has subsequently become a popular elective in the MA in Counselling. The strong interest shown by the students and the successful implementation of this training concept, unique in Germany, led to the founding of this institute in 1999.
This institute at Friedensau Adventist University is involved in research and science, instruction, training, organization and practice.
Research, instruction and practical orientation are strongly interrelated. They are dependent on each other, because music therapy is a scientific discipline geared towards real interaction, and can be applied to accomplish diverse purposes.
The possibilities for combining music therapy with other major and minor subjects make it especially attractive. This form of human interaction is a meaningful, practical enhancement for all socially oriented professions that can be studied in Friedensau.
During the course of studies, which extends over four semesters, various approaches are united: the psychology of perception, social communication and individual creative action. On the basis of the understanding of social illness and social health, the program communicates the music therapy system of methods and conveys how to apply them in various fields of practice. Instruction takes place in closed groups and exclusively in all-day seminars.
By way of self-awareness, the following methods are experienced, felt and comprehended:
- Instrumental improvisation
- Movement improvisation
- Awareness training with music
- Working with voice
- Creating a picture to music
- Group-singing therapy
- Dance and music therapy
The self-awareness is directed towards the limitations and potentials of a person, towards social processes and methodical-didactical procedures. Group-leadership training, didactics, case studies, practica, supervision sessions and comparison of the various theoretical-methodical approaches of music therapy complete the programme.
Following specific teaching aims, the methods of music therapy are meant to realize an improvement of life concerning both how conflicts are dealt with, and activities and experiences in every day life resulting in a broad spectrum of professional applications for the graduate. Besides the classical application in psychotherapeutic, medical, social-therapeutic and rehabilitation institutions, educational and preventive approaches are growing in importance. Beyond that, the bipolar training considerably increases the chances for graduates on the job market.
In the first trimester of the school year 2002/2003, the Institute for music therapy expanded its programme to include semester-long topical block lectures that could also be taken by students of other subject areas. The lectures are intended to convey methods of music therapy in a practical way. They can be applied outside of a therapeutic setting in social work or a church environment to improve social interaction and individual creativity.
Head:
Dr. Petra Jürgens
030 8135080
Petra.Juergens@ThH-Friedensau.de
