What is the music therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that use music and music experiences to enhance the independence and quality of life for individuals with developmental and psychosocial needs. Music therapy benefits a wide range of populations, but for children and adolescents, it specifically aims to develop and enhance skills across physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional domains. This process enables individuals in their developmental stages to maximize their potential abilities and adapt harmoniously to their environments, including home, school, and community. Grounded in scientific evidence, music therapy programs are tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs, systematically incorporating musical elements and fostering a therapist-client relationship that promotes growth.
About our music therapy training and education
The SCHS-EWHA Music Therapy Training and Education Program equips local educators and professionals in Sharjah and the broader Arab region with specialized music therapy skills. Launched in 2013 in collaboration with Ewha Woman’s University in South Korea, the program enables participants to integrate music therapy into their fields, offering children and adolescents at SCHS more comprehensive and professional support. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical training, enhancing trainees' abilities to design and implement music-based interventions and integrate music into other therapeutic approaches. Additionally, the program fosters research competencies, empowering participants to manage music therapy programs systematically and provide empirical evidence of their effectiveness. To date, over 140 SCHS staff members have completed the program, and 38 female specialists have graduated from Ewha University. Their work has positively impacted more than 1,400 students with various disabilities, enhancing their social, linguistic, psychological, behavioral, perceptual, motor, and cognitive skills
Our Vision & Mission
Vision: To establish a pioneering model for music therapy training and education in the Arab region.
Mission: To nurture teachers’ and professionals’ competency and expertise, develop music therapy approaches that are both internationally recognized and locally specialized, and establish a global collaborative network to advance music therapy and train professionals in the Arab region. We are committed to continuous learning, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based practices that ensure the highest quality of care and support for individuals with special needs.
Our Achievements
- 39 Ewha music therapy interns and 12 supervisors have participated in this collaborative effort.
- 11 annual music therapy workshops have been conducted since the program's inception.
- 10 batches of music therapy teacher training were completed.
- 140 teachers graduated from the teacher training program by EWHA and got certified.
- SCSH & EWHA University had organized 1 jointly international conference on music therapy.
- Over 1,400 students with various disabilities have benefited from the program, experiencing improvements in social, linguistic, psychological, behavioral, perceptual, motor, and cognitive skills.
Our Partnership with Korean Music Therapy Education Association (KOMTEA)
KOMTEA-SCHS Music Therapy Program: A New Paradigm in Global Educational Collaboration
The Korean Music Therapy Education Association (KOMTEA) has pioneered an innovative international cooperation model through its partnership with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) since 2013.
This collaboration draws upon music's unique therapeutic properties that transcend language and cultural barriers, resulting in jointly developed, culturally responsive educational training programs.
Our Mission
We go beyond simply offering conventional programs to establish a sustainable music therapy professional development system optimized for local culture and environment,
creating an autonomous music therapy community within the region.
Mutual Partnership
Our cooperation is founded on reciprocal collaboration and shared expertise.
We adapt advanced music therapy practices developed in Korea to fit local cultural contexts,
while simultaneously gaining new clinical insights from multicultural therapeutic environments—contributing to the continued advancement of global music therapy.
Future Vision
The comprehensive KOMTEA-SCHS Music Therapy Program aims to establish a global music therapy network through evidence-based practice,
culturally sensitive therapeutic interventions, and continuous professional development.
Our ultimate vision is expanding music therapy accessibility throughout the region while maintaining the highest clinical excellence and academic rigor,
advancing international music therapy standards through substantial research activities and outstanding academic resources.
Our Partnership with Ewha Womans University
Since 2013, our partnership with Ewha has grown through a shared vision and strong commitment. We have collaborated closely in music therapy services, teacher training, and research. Starting with the first music therapy workshop in 2014, we have co-hosted annual workshops, with Ewha’s interns and supervisors providing therapy services to children at SCHS.
We’ve also conducted teacher training programs, awarding certificates to participants who completed the required training and clinical hours under Ewha’s supervision. Additionally, we’ve co-organized international conferences and launched ongoing research initiatives to support the impact of music therapy with empirical evidence. Key findings are regularly shared through case presentations.
Outcomes and insights have been shared through regular case presentations.