About

About An unconventional educational path

About Music Therapy

As a multi-instrumentalist musician since childhood, I began my career as a Biology teacher. Exceptional circumstances sensitized me to the issue of disability and led me to resume studies in Medical Sciences at Ulg as well as music at the Conservatory.

I am indeed convinced that music stimulates new neural connections in children with disabilities.

Under the tutelage of Lisette Chantraine, harmony professor at the Conservatoire of Liège, I became a Composer registered with Sabam while continuing my studies in Music Therapy in France with Gérard Ducourneau.

After this certification, I was published in a book titled “Music Therapy and Psychomusical Animation in Specialized School Settings.”

Passionate about studying neurology and human behavior, I enhanced my skills through psychotherapy training, particularly in Transactional Analysis, with various instructors including Jacqueline Goossens. These experiences have allowed me to combine a scientific approach with musical creativity in my work.

My compositions include dozens of pieces, specifically therapeutic music designed to regulate heart rhythms. This approach, which I named the Slash Technique, has found practical applications in research projects in collaboration with leading institutions.

As a collaborator with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Liège, I joined the team of Professors Marie-Elisabeth Faymonville and Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse at the Interdisciplinary Pain Center of CHU Liège. In this capacity, I contributed to several studies evaluating the effectiveness of music therapy. My compositions, including seven albums designed to accompany clinical hypnosis sessions, are integrated into care protocols and are the subject of international studies currently in development.

I am also a member of the GIGA Conscious Care Lab-ULiège research group, where my work explores the links between music, consciousness, and well-being. Although some research is still awaiting funding, it reflects my commitment to a rigorous scientific approach and demonstrates therapeutic potential already recognized in clinical practice.

In addition to my academic and clinical activities, I occasionally serve as a guest lecturer at the University of Liège, sharing my expertise with students in the Faculty of Psychology.

A few years later, I established a music therapy training program at the Haute École de la Province de Liège (HEPL). Inspired by French, British, and American university programs, this program, recognized by ARES at the Bachelor level, now employs nine trainers and continues to grow.

Recently, I expanded my commitment by founding the Centre Privé de Formation de Liège-sud, a specialized school in music therapy and related disciplines, offering university-level training. This center welcomes both novices and professionals seeking advanced skills. Here, I train experienced music therapists in new techniques while introducing the discipline to beginners. With diverse curricula, including theoretical studies, practical casework, and certifications, the center reflects my desire to share my knowledge with a wide audience and support the professionalization of music therapy.

My musical compositions, integrated into ongoing projects, are based on existing studies demonstrating the effectiveness of music therapy in pain management, intensive care, and oncology. For instance, research such as that by Bradt et al. (2016) shows that music can reduce pain and anxiety in patients with chronic illnesses. My creations align with this tradition, providing innovative musical tools to support these advancements.

At this stage of my career, I continue to share my expertise as a trainer, composer, and researcher. My work, whether featured in publications like PLOS ONE or applied in clinical settings, illustrates my commitment to music therapy as a tool for health and well-being.

My passion for this field remains undiminished, and I strive to push the boundaries of research and musical application in healthcare.

See my courses offers

The music therapist is a healthcare professional!

The therapeutic forms offered are in complete alignment with the ecology of the time.

©Alain Collinet 2024