Parents, Children and Their Therapists. A Collaborative Research Project Examining Therapist-Parent Interactions in a Music Therapy Clinic

Abstract

This paper reports on a collaborative research project, conducted at the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre, London, which investigated parental involvement (including therapist-parent interactions) in their children's music therapy. It observes a tension between therapists' dual concerns on the one hand to preserve confidentiality and on the other to inform and support parents in relation to their child's music therapy. It suggests a reformulation of confidentiality based on the development of relationships founded on trust and the supported exercise of informed judgement. The collaborative research process, although unusual in music therapy, is considered to have much to offer.