Citiți această postare în Română

The meeting was hosted by Larisa Neculai, music therapist and Coordinator of our Distance Learning Programme in Romania, who welcomed two participants: one from Constanta and another from Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova (for those unfamiliar, Moldova shares many similarities with Romania, including the language). Both had the opportunity to share their work and upcoming projects, ask questions, and express their needs and interests related to using music in their practice.

The key themes that emerged from the discussions were:

  1. The need for networking and sharing expertise with other practitioners, including music therapists.
  2. The need for support in accessing conferences, events and scientific forums in the field.

Participants emphasised their need for a support network to continue working with children with disabilities. Their primary need for coming to the CPD session was to discuss everything around the actual clinical work.

Thought-provoking discussions about where and how to find the motivation to continue using music when lacking support led to deeper conversations reflecting on the intrinsic motivation practitioners have in working with children with disabilities. One participant acknowledged that “you have to have a big heart” to continue using music in therapeutic work, even when one can feel “alone and abandoned on a boat”.

Comparisons between using music in teaching versus using music in a therapeutic space are a cultural differentiation present in Romania and, apparently, Moldova as well. Some of the discussions acknowledged financial difficulties and potential instability of the work.

The themes above align with the findings of an audit Music as Therapy International recently carried out. This audit acknowledged the graduates’ challenges of sustaining work after training (Click here to read more).

Having an open intention to meet the participants’ needs as best as possible, the CPD event offered a space to explore some of the complexities of using music in their work with children with disabilities. Following the CPD event, one participant decided to access the Musical Instrument Fund and learn more about other opportunities Music as Therapy International offers to its Local Partners, such as ongoing supervision.

If you work in Romania and have previously trained with Music as Therapy International or a recommended trainer, you are welcome to express your interest in the next CPD event here: (email to larisaneculai@musicastherapy.org).