ABSTRACT
A single definition for the arts therapies wouldn’t be useful to anyone. There must be different definitions in response to different demands. This is not an indication of confusion, or a lack of clarity. Rather, it’s a recognition that a national or international accreditation board or a client and arts therapist working together in a day centre have different needs in terms of definitions. A music therapist beginning practice in India and one in Ireland may have aspects of a definition of music therapy in common, for example. However, they may also have needs that must be met differently in terms of defining what it is they do, and how it can offer change to meet local conditions. As we will see, my research has not discovered a single overarching definition that has become widely used. The situation is one where there is a lively, rigorous diversity meeting different situations and needs.
