Music Therapy: an embodiment of the ‘interdisciplinary problem’.: Why should historians of medicine engage more with music therapy history, and what methods might they use to do this?

Katja Taits

doi:10.2218/music.2023.8172

Music Therapy: an embodiment of the ‘interdisciplinary problem’.

Why should historians of medicine engage more with music therapy history, and what methods might they use to do this?

Authors

Katja Taits University of Edinburgh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2218/music.2023.8172

Keywords:

music therapy, history of medicine, music, therapy, UK, NHS, Case studies, interdisciplinary

Abstract

This article explores the interdisciplinary problem historians of medicine face when attempting to research history of the music therapy profession within the UK. Focusing on social history methodology, and why this kind of research needs to be done, the article reaches two conclusions. The first is that more research of all kinds, including historiographical research, is needed in order to support the continuation of the music therapy profession. The second conclusion is that interdisciplinary and collaborative research will be the most effective way forward when approaching this task.