4. Cultural Influences                                             > main table of contents 

The dissemination of music therapy in the Netherlands was positively influenced when in the sixties and seventies the medical model was gradually being replaced by social-psychological methods that emphasized the group processes (Van Nieuwenhuijzen, 1983). The anti-psychiatry has also had a favourable influence on the development of music therapy (Haans, 1992). When in the next period during which the Dutch government, due to the oil crises and economic stagnation, plotted a "no-nonsense" policy, music therapy, being a "soft therapy" within the health care, had to watch its steps. The need for music therapists who could stand their ground within a changing health care, became stronger.  

The practice of music therapy, however, was not in danger and remained, also afterwards, embedded in the Dutch welfare state which hardly has its equal worldwide. The government bears the cost of the institutions where music therapy is practised and music therapists hold full-time or part-time permanent appointments, which have been laid down on the basis of legislation and employment contracts. The distance to the more established professions, such as psychiatrist and psychotherapist is still great, which is also expressed in the payment.  

Since the Netherlands is a multi-cultural society and a melting pot of musical cultures, working with non natives and fitting in different styles of music is daily routine.  

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