The Transformational Design Model
This week’s symposium topic was an introduction to the Transformational Design Model and Neurologic Music Therapy techniques. The Transformational Design Model (TDM) sets a template to ensure that music therapy techniques are well-thought out and have functional therapeutic outcomes. The first step in the TDM is to state the client’s strengths and needs. Based on the client’s needs, a goal area is determined for step 2. The third step is to describe the desired result based on the gaol. This is what the client should be able to accomplish at the end of the therapeutic experience, and it should be a non-musical behavior. The fourth step is to describe the therapeutic music experience. This is where the music therapist describes what he/she is doing in sessions with the client to work on the desired goal area. This is also where a Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) technique is listed and explained. The NMT technique should have functional, musical, and scientific logic that supports the non-musical goal. The final step is to describe how the client will be able to transfer this skill to real life outside of the session. In this final step, the music therapist fades the music and the client should be able to complete the desired result independently. The TDM ensures that music therapists are accountable for the interventions they are leading and can justify why it is beneficial to the client’s outcome.
-Nerissa
