The Music and Music Therapy Continuum: A practice-based conceptual framework for health and wellbeing applications

Confusion frequently exists around the various uses of music for health and wellbeing, and the roles of practitioners using music for health benefits. This is often based on a lack of definition and understanding of the many different applications and related training and knowledge. We present a new framework which has been collaboratively developed at Western Sydney University, Australia, to incorporate the many uses of music for health benefits. This ranges from environmental and personal through to community, health practitioners and qualified music therapists. The presentation outlines and identifies the many different roles within this continuum, providing examples and evidence of how this conceptual framework can contribute to and support everyday practice around the uses of music and music therapy to improve health and wellbeing for clients and patients.