This professional development program gently introduces music therapists to key concepts related to psychological trauma and how these experiences may uniquely impact individuals depending on their personal histories, resilience, and cultural backgrounds. Rather than delving into trauma processing or clinical treatment, the program emphasises strategies to create a safe enough environment through music, where individuals can relax, express themselves, connect with others, and explore personal coping tools.
Participants will begin by exploring the concept of safety in therapeutic contexts, including how it can be embodied and experienced through music. The session defines what constitutes a "safe musical space" and examines the different types of safety that music can help support.
The program then offers a foundational understanding of trauma and its developmental impact, including the concepts of complex trauma and the window of tolerance. Participants will learn the principles of trauma-informed care and how music therapy can support body and mood regulation within this framework.
A key focus is placed on why music is particularly effective in trauma work—its interaction with the nervous system, its capacity to bypass language, and its unique role in promoting emotional safety and self-regulation. Participants will learn how to design musical experiences that prioritise emotional safety, including structural and relational considerations such as flexibility, therapeutic presence, and rapport-building.
Additional strategies, including non-musical interventions and adaptable programmatic structures, will be discussed to support a more holistic approach to trauma-informed practice.
This program is ideal for music therapists seeking to expand their trauma-informed knowledge and develop practical tools to support clients in diverse settings, while maintaining ethical boundaries and psychological safety.