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Nicole: How much cultural-specific repertoire is included in music therapy sessions?Claudio: Regional folk repertoire is preferred, especially in the geriatric field and in the treatment of dementia. Such repertoire is vast and varied as it comes from many local and regional Italian cultures, which differ significantly between Northern, Central, and Southern areas, as well as within each area. This music and dance can also differ deeply in the use of various dialects and local languages that are ​​still rooted strongly throughout the Italian Regions. Folk repertoire is also used for group activities in community projects. In early childhood music therapy, lullabies and nursery rhymes, often from regional origins, as well as common songs and pop songs for children, are used.Nicole: What does a music therapy session in Italy look like?Claudio: Since there is no university-based training program in Italy, you will find many different kinds of sessions depending on the approaches and experiences of each music therapist. However, most of the sessions follow an active approach with various types of instruments, incorporating psychodynamic, relational, and humanistic frameworks.Nicole: What are some of the names of music therapy associations in Italy?Claudio: In Italy, music therapy is totally private. Consequently, there are plenty of associations that are spread throughout the country. It is quite difficult to know how many there are and what their constitutions state. The known associations are AIM, FIM, APIM, AIREM, and FEDIM, which have their own requirements and associated music therapy programs.Nicole: What are the different philosophies between associations?Claudio: I am not able to describe the different philosophies of those associations, as they are strongly dependent on their founding members, their own theoretical and cultural models, methodological approaches, and the policies they intend to promote.Nicole: Which national music therapy association in Italy is the strongest?Claudio: The main one recognized by the European Music Therapy Confederation, is Associazione Italiana Musicoterapisti (AIM). At the same time there are other important associations like Federazione Italiana Musicoterapeuti (FIM) and Associazione Italiana Registro Musicoterapisti (AIREM).Nicole: What are the common approaches to music therapy in Italy? For example, are they more psychoanalytical, behavioral, or humanistic?Claudio: Since the 1980s to early 2000s, the main approaches are psychodynamic/psychoanalytic and humanistic. The cognitive and behavioral approaches have always remained in the background compared to other approaches. This is especially due to the great importance that the psychiatric/psychoanalytic tradition always played in this country’s history. Today, a few music therapy programs acknowledge the importance of the cognitive and neurological approaches to music therapy.Nicole: Can you describe the schooling you went through to become a music therapist?Claudio: I started in 1997, attending the APIM-ANFFAS music therapy training program in Turin while beginning to practice music therapy in a residential facility for adults with disabilities. During that time, I applied a psychodynamic approach to music therapy influenced by the Benenzon Model of Music Therapy, which I definitely abandoned in 2003. As music therapy training opportunities in Italy were limited at this time, I looked into educational and rehabilitative approaches from related fields as well as the international music therapy community. Nicole: What other music therapy training programs are available in Italy?Claudio: Because music therapy is not a recognized profession in Italy, training programs are still limited and not affiliated with universities. Hence, all Italian music therapy training programs are operated by private associations, sometimes linked with umbrella organizations. Currently, there are about 40 music therapy training programs in Italy with different levels of intensity and quality. With the economic crises at full swing, it remains unclear how many of these programs will survive.Nicole: What are the most common settings that music therapists work in?Claudio: Italian music therapists mainly work in centers for people with disabilities, nursing homes, and homes for older adults. There are also several school programs, which employ music therapists for inclusion programming.Nicole: Do music therapists need to obtain board certification before they can practice?Claudio: No! As of today, there is no institutional board certification for music therapists in Italy. However, most training programs have regional governmental recognition in order to be accepted by facilities.Nicole: What are the most common methods of reimbursement for music therapists in Italy?Claudio: Italian music therapists usually belong to social associations, are salaried employees in centers, or are freelancers (as I am) who contract directly with public administrations and social services.
About the Interviewee
Claudio Cominardi is a practicing music therapist in Brescia, Italy. He serves as a member of the WFMT Clinical Practice Commission.Nicole Carlson, Music Therapy Student, University of Louisville, USAMusic Therapy Intern, North Shore University Health System, Chicago, USANote: This interview series was part of the University of Louisville’s Internship seminar under the instruction of Dr. Petra Kern.[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible" margin_top="40" margin_bottom="" background_color="rgba(255,255,255,0)"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"][fusion_separator style="dotted"/]
Window to the World
Did traveling, studying, or working abroad change you? Do you have a meaningful music therapy experience from your home country or culture?Share your story by sending us:
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