Music therapists’ perspectives on nature-connecting methods and the integration of nature in music therapy: Results of a survey among German and Austrian music therapists

Nature- and ecology-related topics are currently gaining increasing attention in healthcare and among healthcare professions. In music therapy, nature, nature-assisted approaches, and ecology have not yet been frequently discussed issues. Only few concepts and approaches have been developed and implemented so far. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey to gain more knowledge about music therapists’ perspectives concerning the implementation of nature and nature-connecting methods in music therapy. A total of N = 84 music therapists from Austria and Germany took part in our investigation. The survey included quantitative and qualitative items. For data analysis, we applied SPSS Statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results show that 75 % of the participating music therapists have never or rarely conducted music therapy in nature so far. However, almost 67 % of them estimated the potentials of integrating nature in music-therapy work to be (very) high. The more pronounced the nature connectedness and openness to experience, the higher the music therapists’ assessments of the potentials of nature in music therapy. Music therapists judged music therapy in nature to enhance the therapists’ diagnostic insights and listening to nature sounds to positively affect clients’ well-being. As for potential risks, heightened distraction and confidentiality breaks were ranked highest. These findings offer preliminary insights into music therapists’ attitudes and experiences concerning the integration of nature and nature-assisted methods in music therapy. Further studies are indicated to expand and deepen limited evidence. •Music therapists have rarely conducted music therapy in nature so far.•Music therapists judge the potential of nature in music therapy to be (very) high.•Music therapy in nature enhances the therapists’ diagnostic insights.•Listening to nature sounds may affect clients’ well-being.•Heighted distraction, confidentiality breaches rank highest among potential risks.