COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus disease, has affected our society in many ways that were previously unimaginable. Social distancing, a tactic that is being implemented to decrease the spread of this illness, has resulted in many public spaces being closed. Entire school districts have been closed for the next two weeks at least. Many businesses have limited their access to the public. Ultimately, this affects the extent to which we can all interact with each other. Luckily, there is a way to ensure that music therapy sessions are still provided to pre- existing clients as well as new clients in order to meet individualized therapeutic needs.
Telehealth, also referred to as telemedicine or e-health, is the application of online technology to provide health intervention services for clients with specific health issues or developmental focus areas (Fuller & McLeod, 2019, p. 14). This form of treatment has been implemented when face-to-face treatment is not a viable option. Although research involving telehealth is limited, this form of treatment has been in existence for over twenty years (Crowe & Rio, 2004). With each technological innovation, telehealth has evolved to become an effective method of care. Telehealth has been successfully implemented by general practitioners and surgeons, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech pathologists to address clinical goals among varying populations (Krout & Baker, 2009, p. 4).
Telehealth in music therapy, or telemusictherapy, is a viable option to provide music therapy services when an in-person session may not be feasible. Even though the session will take place via computer, the music therapist will continue to address individualized, therapeutic goals and objectives for the client. Telehealth sessions implement music therapy techniques that are typically used in face-to-face sessions. These techniques can include songwriting, active music playing, improvisation, music-assisted relaxation, and more (Krout, Baker, & Ralf, 2010, p. 80). Telehealth music therapy sessions model the traditional in-person sessions and follow a similar structure. Each session begins with a greeting song, followed by music therapy interventions normally utilized to promote progress towards individualized goals, and end with a goodbye song.
Music therapy interventions can be used to address a client’s needs over various domains, including social needs, academic needs, and emotional needs. Krout and Baker (2009) implemented a telehealth music therapy program for an adolescent client with Asperger’s syndrome. These sessions mainly focused on songwriting in order to enhance the client’s social skills. The songwriting interventions focused on encouraging eye contact, engaging in dialogue, developing self-confidence, and providing opportunities for decision making (Krout & Baker, 2009, p. 4). Even though these sessions took place through a computer screen, the client’s engagement levels were the same as when he was in a face-to-face session. In fact, conducting the sessions in a technological setting allowed the client to be more comfortable engaging in discussions that were more difficult in regular, individualized sessions (Krout & Baker, 2009, p. 4).
Telehealth sessions can also provide opportunities for family involvement. Individualized music therapy sessions usually take place in a 1:1 setting. In the clinic setting, the client’s behaviors can be positively or negatively reinforced by the music therapist, depending on the client’s needs. However, in a telehealth session, it may be difficult for the music therapist to redirect a client’s behaviors or promote engagement. Luckily, family members or caregivers can become involved in order to ensure the client’s success. Telehealth sessions can allow for parents and caregivers to take leadership and facilitate the therapeutic interventions (Fuller & McLeod, 2019, p. 15).
Family-centered music therapy telehealth sessions can prove beneficial for both the client and the client’s respective family members. Fuller and McLeod (2019) conducted telehealth sessions for families in which a child had a hearing loss. The family members worked in conjunction with a music therapist and a language specialist in order to ensure the client made substantial progress towards his/her pre-defined therapeutic goals. Because the client was present with his/her family members but in a different location from the practitioners, the family members were able to assume a more prominent leadership role that may not have been possible during traditional individualized sessions. The family members facilitated the music therapy interventions with assistance from the music therapist. In this way, the interactions between the family members and clients were prioritized (Fuller & McLeod, 2019, p. 16).
Telehealth sessions allow for the provision of music therapy services that would otherwise be inaccessible for various reasons (Krout & Baker, 2009, p. 4). Telehealth sessions have been found to not affect the client’s overall satisfaction of therapies delivered (Fuller & McLeod, p. 14). Telehealth sessions may increase the level of comfort and engagement for clients in comparison to traditional, in-person sessions (Fuller & McLeod, 2019, p. 13). Additionally, these online services provide an opportunity for increased familial participation that may occur in traditional settings.
A final important benefit of telehealth services is that it increases the accessibility of music therapy services for clients. Geographical distance may be a deterrent at times in pursuing music therapy treatment. The option to receive music therapy services from home offers a way for these clients to receive services to address their specific needs that may not have been possible before. COVID-19 has impacted our day-to-day lives. However, it does not have to interfere with receiving quality music therapy services.
As we as a nation navigate the unforeseeable future, it is important that we maintain our connections to each other. Team Therabeat has already started implementing telehealth music therapy sessions over this past week. These sessions have been received well, both by our clients as well as their parents. Additionally, parents and caregivers have become more engaged in their child’s treatment by participating alongside the client. The therapeutic benefits of music therapy are important as ever during this pandemic. The universal language of music can help us all make it through this challenging time.
Jasmine Bailey, Music Therapy Intern
References
Crowe, B.J., & Rio, R. (2004). Implications of technology in music therapy practice and research for music therapy education: A review of literature. Journal of Music Therapy, 41(4), 282-320.
Deal, S. (2020). Telehealth: Music Therapy [flyer].
Fuller, A.M., & McLeod, R.G. (2019). The connected music therapy tele intervention approach (CoMMTA) and its application to family-centred programs for young children with hearing loss. Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 30, 12-30.
Krout, R., & Baker, F. (2009). Songwriting via skype: An online music therapy intervention to enhance social skills in an adolescent diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. British Journal of Music Therapy, 23(2), 3-14.
Krout, R., Baker, F., & Ralf, M. (2010). Designing, piloting, and evaluating an on-line collaborative songwriting environment and protocol using skype telecommunication technology: Perceptions of music therapy student participants. Music Therapy Perspectives, 28(1), 79-85.