Introduction: Music therapy is a non-verbal approach within trauma recovery programs for children and adolescents, gaining popularity due to its expressive communication nature. Safety is a paramount concern in therapeutic programs for young individuals with trauma backgrounds. However, the specific relationship between music or musical experiences and the establishment of safety in music therapy remains unexplored. This presentation presents a qualitative research study investigating how music contributes to safety when working with children and adolescents who experienced trauma.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eighteen music therapists from eleven countries, each with extensive experience working in trauma-related settings. Through online Zoom interviews, they shared their perspectives on how music contributes to a sense of safety. The resulting interview transcriptions underwent Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Results: A prominent theme emerged from the analysis: "Music is not always safe." Participants highlighted specific music therapy methods that could distress individuals without careful consideration, such as improvisation, loud drumming, and preferred song listening. They also stressed the importance of incorporating alternative methods in sessions to cater to individual needs.

Discussion: Insights from seasoned music therapists underscore the importance of attuning to the unique needs of children and adolescents during therapy. While music or musical experiences may not always align with individual preferences, maintaining openness and flexibility to embrace their choices can potentially foster feelings of safety. Participants agreed that, when applied with careful consideration, music can provide a sense of safety and facilitate the processing of issues related to the individual's trauma experiences.