Enhancing Connections: A Phenomenological Study of Support Workers’ Perceptions of Assisting Participants in Group Music Therapy

Abstract Support workers often provide valuable assistance to music therapists in their work with people with disabilities, enabling access and participation during sessions. How music therapists interact and collaborate with support workers can be a key to the optimal provision of music therapy services. In Australia, the National Disability Insurance Scheme has provided people with disabilities increased access and funding for support workers. However, this burgeoning workforce has no set standards of training and experience; thus, it is important to explore how best to collaborate with support workers who are variously trained and resourced. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of six support workers who had assisted in a music therapy group for people with intellectual disabilities for more than 1 year. The findings revealed key aspects of this experience: that support workers value information and guidance; that there is a reciprocal impact of the music therapy session on the support worker, and by the support worker on the music therapy session; that support workers can experience a sense of belonging and inclusion; and that support workers have and develop a range of skills sets through long-term involvement in group music therapy in the community. With these findings in mind, enhanced connections and collaborations may occur between support workers and all participants in group music therapy.