Call For Presentations

AMTA 2022 Call for Presentations is now closed

Conference theme

Beyond Humanistic Approaches to Mental Health: Valuing lived experience

Person-centred approaches are central to music therapy practice in Australia. This includes holding a deep personal regard for the whole person rather than focusing on their problems. Music therapists tend to conceive of creativity as one way of expressing their inherent potential. These ideals often intersect with more contemporary approaches such as positive psychology and resource-oriented music therapy.

But what if we recognised that humanistic approaches also have some limitations? Focusing on people’s capacity to be resilient neatly side steps the recognition that society is also responsible for an individual’s trauma. It also establishes expectations that all people can and should be able to recover and function in a way that is considered normal.

This topic has been widely debated in mental health care and other fields where participants’ voices are privileged. If the problem is not solely with the individual, then what are we focusing on, as music therapists? Moving beyond humanism will be our conference theme for 2022 – including and transcending the values we hold dear, and expanding our vision to recognise other levels of practice for the future.

Presentation Categories

Abstracts can be submitted under the following categories:

• Oral Presentation - RMT
• Oral Presentation - Student and New Graduates

Abstract Format

Abstracts should address some part of the conference theme, whether that is person-centered care; music and mental well-being; or more critical approaches, in any area of practice or research.

Abstracts must not exceed 400 words and must not contain tables or graphs. To ensure a blind review, please ensure your abstract does not contain identifying material. This includes reference to unique features about the setting, context, client or author, or the city in which the work/study has been undertaken.

Biography

Please include a brief biography, no more than 50 words.

Submissions

Submissions are to be made online via the link at the top of the page.

Submission criteria and review process

Each abstract will be peer reviewed by two scientific committee members and ranked according to the following selection criteria:

• Relevance of topic to the conference theme
• Clarity in explaining the focus of the paper
• Transparency about your expertise and motivation for presenting on that topic
• Sufficient information about how the presentation will be structured

Successful applicant terms and conditions

Successful applicants will be offered a place in the conference program, for an oral presentation where possible. However, some authors may be invited to make their presentation in a different format. All presenters will be required to formally accept the invitation by registering and paying the conference registration fee. Presenters will be able to register at the super early bird registration rate at any time.

Timeline

Abstract submissions	Closed
Notification of Acceptance	By Monday 18 July 2022
Draft program available	July 2022
Presenter registration deadline	Friday 26 August 2022

Questions

Technical questions about submissions and program can be sent to the Scientific Katrina Skewes McFerran, at k.mcferran@unimelb.edu.au

Please direct all other program enquiries to:

AMTA 2022 Conference Secretariat
T: +61 (07) 3255 1002
E: abstracts@austmtaconference.com.au