ABSTRACT
What happens after our student music therapist has successfully completed training? What are some of the issues out there in the rather more independent and risky atmosphere of the working environment? Gone is the intensive support of course tutors and the student group. Some of the challenges involve finding enough suitable work, learning how to sustain a therapeutic relationship over a longer period and how to bring established work to a suitable close. We begin this chapter by exploring some questions that often arise during the newly qualified therapist’s early employment. We review some issues relating to referrals, assessment and report-writing and discuss the importance of regular supervision in learning to manage the therapeutic relationship. Continuing education protects the therapist against ‘burnout’ and some common routes for further training and support are identified. We conceived this chapter as a transition from training to work: some sections are geared to new professionals; others to more seasoned practitioners and supervisors.
