Speaker Bio
Tobias Aumann is a licensed music therapist based in Vienna, Austria.
His acedemic background is informed by social sciences, as he earned his BA in social and cultural anthropology at the University of Vienna in 2015. Shifting to a more practice oriented approach to human interaction and health he completed his training as a music therapist in 2023, earning a Master of Science in Health Studies from IMC FH Krems (UAS) in Lower Austria.
In his master thesis he examined the use of music in therapy protocols in psychedelic-assisted therapy, seeking a deeper understanding of the functions of music in its therapeutic process. Moreover he tried to identify potential fields of action for music therapists in order to promote the integration of music therapy-profession-specific skills into psychedelic-assisted therapy.
He is also an avid live musician in several projects, exploring the ways in which sounds can alter our consciousness within an immersive experience.
ICPR 2024 Abstract
Music Therapy and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy - A qualitative study exploring synergies and future fields of cooperation
Music is an integral part of current study and therapy protocols of psychedelic-assisted therapy, but its role and function are little studied. Moreover the discipline of music therapy is hardly integrated into research.
The aim of the present qualitative research project was to elicit the role and function of music in the therapeutic process of psychedelic-assisted therapy, to identify potential fields of action for music therapists, and to stimulate exchange between music therapy and the disciplines involved in research and application.
The collection of the empirical data was carried out by means of expert interviews (n=7). The analysis was based on the qualitative content analysis.
The results of the study suggest multiple functions of music in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Music structures and directs the experience in a psychedelic state of consciousness to therapeutically relevant content, it provides support and conveys security, and it facilitates and intensifies the emotional experience of the patient. In the course of the study, three fields of action for music therapists were identified, in which they can contribute certain specific music therapy competencies: 1. Application of psychedelic-assisted therapy, 2. research of psychedelic-assisted therapy and 3. education of future therapists in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.