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Ethan: As student you studied abroad at the University of Louisville. How would you compare music therapy in Poland to music therapy in the United States?Martha: Music Therapy in Poland is not as well known compared to the United States. Due to the profession not being as big, the number of music therapists is actually much smaller. The music therapists that do have degrees are known to use more receptive music therapy techniques than active music therapy techniques.Ethan: How do universities set up their music therapy programs? Are these programs similar to music therapy programs in the United States?Marta: Music therapy degree programs are very similar to the training programs in the United States. The Academy of Music in Katowice, one of the universities that offers music therapy, has a curriculum that is set up like the music therapy curricula in the United States. However, the curriculum for music therapy tends to vary from university to university in Poland. There is less of a focus on practicum work and more of a focus on the theory behind music therapy.Ethan: What are the internship requirements in Poland?Marta: In Poland internships do not exist in any profession. Once music therapy students finish their schooling, they can immediately go to work as a music therapist.Ethan: What are some of the most common populations that you see in Poland?Marta: Some of the most common music therapy populations in Poland are as follows: Older Adults, adults going through physical therapy, children that are in kindergarten, physically and mentally disabled children. Early childhood music therapy in Poland is also a very popular population.Ethan: As a music therapist in Poland what is your favorite population to work with?Marta: I really enjoy working with young children. Throughout my undergraduate career, I tried to work with multiple populations but I most enjoyed providing music therapy services to young children and their families. I believe I connect to children more easily, and I enjoy watching them grow and learn new skills. Currently, I work with children that are in kindergarten, and children that are 4 months to 2 years old. The young children that I see come in with their parents, and my role is not only providing music therapy services to the children but to the entire family. I teach the families music therapy techniques that they can use at home with their children. Due to a busy work schedule, Polish families don’t tend to spend much time with their children at home. Therefore, music therapy sessions are a time for the entire family to come together.Ethan: What credentials do you receive after you complete your music therapy studies?Marta: Music therapists in Poland don’t necessarily gain credentials, such as the MT-BC credential in the United States. Once we complete our degree we are able to work with any population that could benefit from music therapy.Ethan: How common is private practice music therapy in Poland? Do clients/patients have to pay out of pocket for music therapy services or do insurance companies cover the cost?Marta: Private practices are not very common in Poland due to the high taxes. Many music therapists prefer to work in established facilities that have an established music therapy program. The only clients that receive private music therapy services are those that cannot get into a facility that provides music therapy services. If a client does choose to receive private music therapy services, they have to pay out of their pocket, as insurance does not cover any music therapy services.Ethan: What is the average salary of a music therapist in Poland? Is salary based on degree level or experience?Marta: Experience and degree level plays a large role in determining the salary of a music therapist. On average a music therapist makes about $600 in U.S money, or 1800 zlotys in Poland. This is considered to be a decent salary.Ethan: What organizations exist that allow music therapists to collaborate nationwide?Marta: There are currently about 30 music therapists working in Poland. Due to the small number of practicing music therapists it allows us to collaborate and meet often to share ideas and research.Ethan: How much music therapy research is being done in Poland?Marta: There is not a lot of music therapy research currently conducted in Poland. As insurance does not cover music therapy services, most clients cannot afford to pay for music therapy services that would allow a research project to be completed. However, some clients can receive sponsors and reimbursement, which allows them to stay within a study.Marta Nowak recently received her music therapy degree from the Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland. Marta spent one full year studying abroad at the University of Louisville under music therapy program director Dr. Darcy Walworth.
About the Interviewee:
Ethan Schmidt, Music Therapy Student, University of Louisville, USAMusic Therapy Intern, Norton Healthcare, Kentucky, USANote: This interview series was part of the University of Louisville’s Internship seminar under the instruction of Dr. Petra Kern.
