Indonesian Music Therapy Association Strives For Certification For Therapists

Karnila Putri'szia, a lecturer who holds a music therapy certificate (Instagram @kez_k_ptr)

JAKARTA - Music therapy as one of the medical efforts has developed in the mid-20th century. Since 1950, music therapy associations have emerged in many developed countries.

However, music therapy in Indonesia does not seem to have received attention. In fact, the term is still foreign to the ears of many people.

Kelzia Karnila Putri, one of the music therapy teachers at the Pelita Harapan University Conservation of Music, said that the number of therapists who are still minimal in Indonesia is the reason why music therapy is still unknown to the public.

"What is certain is that in terms of troops, there are far fewer human resources. Overseas, there are already a lot of human resources, so advocacy for music therapy field work is wider and higher there," said Kezia Karnila Putri when met in Karawaci, Tangerang, last week.

Certification for music therapists themselves is still unclear in Indonesia. Not only that, the Indonesian Music Therapy Association was only established this year.

"There is no certification of music therapists in Indonesia yet. So, the music therapy association was only established earlier this year," said Kezia.

Led by Kezia itself, the Indonesian Music Therapy Association is said to be working on many things so that the practice of music therapy in Indonesia can be better in terms of quantity and quality.

With what is currently being done, Kezia hopes that there will be certification for music therapists in Indonesia.

There we work on a practice code of ethics, membership and others. Hopefully in the near future we can issue certification. But of course it's a long process, "concluded Karnila Putri's Nutrition.