Music Therapy Supervision: Diverse Perspectives on its Cultures and Practices

by Catherine Warner (Editor), Ann Sloboda (Editor), Luke Annesley (Contribution by), Julie Sutton (Contribution by), Nicky Haire (Contribution by)

Overview

This comprehensive guide brings together the diverse experiences of supervisors and supervisees following the music therapy career journey from the first training placement to an established and nuanced career.

Elevating the voice of the supervisee to speak in concert with the supervisor, a balanced focus addresses not only support for supervising trainees in the current field, but the effect this has on supervisees' professional development and the subsequent impact on future clients.

Individual accounts provide perspectives on approaches to international trainees, cultural sensitivity during internships, and peer supervision. The rise of remote supervision is addressed in relation to work in countries such as Brazil as well as in response to world events. Covering theory and practice of music therapy supervision in relation to transdisciplinary approaches, in addition to the experiences of psychotherapists, medical specialists, and drama therapists, this book provides a holistic view of the modern field and its potential for future development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787759244
Publisher:	Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publication date:	08/22/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288

About the Author

Catherine Warner was programme leader of the MA Music Therapy at the University of the West of England and established the first music therapy supervision training course in the UK. Her clinical practice spans a range of client experiences.

Ann Sloboda is Head of Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music&Drama. She is a qualified psychoanalyst and a member of the British Psychoanalytical Society and is registered with the BCP and the HCPC.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Cathy Warner and Ann Sloboda

Part 1: Training Supervision

1 The First Cut is the Deepest: A Conversation between a Music Therapist and their First Training Supervisor, Fifteen Years On.
Luke Annesley and Andy Lale

2 Spiegel im Spiegel: The Experience of a First-time Placement Supervisor
Anna Macken and trainees

3 In Correspondence: Co-creating Reflexive Spaces through Improvisation in Music Therapy Supervision Seminars
Nicky Haire and trainees

Part 2: Diverse Cultural Practices in Supervision

4 We Need to Talk about Race: Supervision Through a Racial Lens
Michaela de Cruz and Davina Vencatasamy

5 The Nordoff Robbins Tradition of Supervision: Cultivating Awareness and Courage to Follow where Music and People Lead
Oksana Zharinova and Simon Procter

6 In Search of the Little Blue Girl: A Creative Exploration into the Supervisory Relationship between a Music Therapist Supervisee and a Dramatherapist Supervisor
Sophie Riga de Spinoza and Mandy Carr

7 Group Supervision with the Ahonen Method: Origins and Applications
Cathy Warner, Adam Kishtainy and Abigail Williams

Part 3: Supervision during the Pandemic

8 Approaching a New Threshold: Integrating Learning from Supervision Pre and Post Pandemic
Maria Radoje and Sally Pestell

9 Music Therapy Group Supervision in a Brazilian Clinic: Difficulties, Challenges and
Learning Experiences
Gustavo Schulz Gattino, Joyce Ribeiro, Jemima Rodrigues, Gabriela Silva, Sarah Caroline Jeronimo da Silva, Tatiana Harumi Komi and Julio Cesar Ramon Oliveira

10 Large Group Peer Supervision: Working Online with the Unthought Known
Joy Rickwood, Hilary Storer and Cathy Warner

Part 4: Reflections on Sustained Experiences of Supervision
11 Now and Then: Reflections on Supervisee and Supervisor Perspectives in Early Career
Ann Sloboda and Hilary Moss

12 Working with Unconscious Processes as Part of the Music Therapy Supervisor's Task
Robin Wiltshire

13 Something Different: Exploring the Perspectives and Experience of a Palliative Care Doctor receiving Supervision from a Music Therapist
Jane Lings

14 At the Still Point
Julie Sutton

List of contributors
Subject index
Name index

Editorial Reviews

Reflecting the sense of inquiry and dynamic exchange in creative and thoughtful supervisory practice, this book offers perspectives on supervision that generate dialogue and thinking that will extend beyond supervision spaces.

Dr Philippa Derrington

Impactful supervision narratives, including improvisation-based facilitation, access supported through online offerings, peer groups shifting power dynamics, affinity spaces of color enhancing holistic growth, and sustained experiences reflecting years of supervision relationship. The meaningfulness of the book is further bolstered by robust co-creation and dialogical exchange between supervisor and supervisees.

Dr. Hakeem Leonard

This book adopts a refreshingly inclusive stance on approaches and theories. Trainees, educators, supervisees, and supervisors share their experiences generously and authentically reflect on music therapy supervision. It is a fascinating read for all, including professionals seeking a creative approach to supervision.

Dr Val Huet PhD