Lunch talks Music therapy
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Berlin/Hamburg - From July 23 to 26, 2025, the German Music Therapy Society (DMtG) invites you to public lunchtime talks from 12:30 to 13:30 as part of the 13th European Music Therapy Conference. Experts from the fields of therapy, research, culture and politics will discuss how music therapy can support children, cancer patients, people with mental illness, chronic pain or dementia - and why its integration into the healthcare system is long overdue. The talks are open to all interested parties, on site in Hamburg in the orchestra studio of the University of Music and Drama or via livestream on YouTube.
Whether children with psychological stress, cancer patients, people with dementia or depression: Music therapy helps where other forms of therapy reach their limits. It strengthens emotional experience, promotes expression and self-efficacy. While origin, language or age are sometimes major hurdles in other forms of therapy, this does not apply to music. For vulnerable groups in particular, it is therefore often an indispensable approach to stabilization, participation and quality of life.
The lunchtime talks at the European Music Therapy Congress will address questions such as: What role does music therapy play for children with psychological stress, for cancer patients, in dementia care or in the prevention of mental illness? How can its potential be better integrated into the healthcare system? And how can politics, culture and civil society work together to close gaps in care? The series will be moderated by radio journalist Christina Sartori.
// If you would like to attend the free lunchtime talks on site, please register in good time at the information desk at the entrance to the HfMT. The YouTube links to the livestreams of the individual events can be found below after the respective event description.
Overview of topics
23.07.2025, 12.30 - 13.30 Music therapy for children and adolescents - support in clinics and outpatient care
Children and young people are increasingly suffering from psychological stress caused by crises such as the pandemic, war and climate change. Older and socially disadvantaged young people are particularly affected. The German government is planning a strategy for "mental health" with a focus on prevention and early detection. What important role can music therapy play here?
In discussion: Professor Dr. Lutz Neugebauer (Deutsche Musiktherapeutische Gesellschaft), Dr. Friederike Haslbeck (Neonatology), Nadine Weber-Kroschke (Kroschke-Kinderstiftung), Rolf Zuckowski (Stiftung Kinder brauchen Musik), Johannes Wagner (MdB, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, Member of the Health Committee).
24.07.2025, 12.30 - 13.30 Music therapy for cancer and in palliative care
Music therapy has been proven to help cancer patients cope better with anxiety, pain and emotional stress. The IQWiG confirmed its positive effect in 2019 and suggested that the new profession of music therapy should be legally anchored in the healthcare system. What has been implemented since then - and how can particularly vulnerable patient groups be better cared for? The role of self-help and patient representatives will also be discussed.
In discussion: Constanze Boyde (certified music therapist), Hardy Müller (Secretary General of the German Society for Patient Safety), Kay-Uwe Parsons-Galka (German Leukemia and Lymphoma Aid), Prof. Dr. Wolf K. Hofmann (German Cancer Aid Foundation), Maya Singh (composer, producer, digital self-help group).
25.07.2025, 12.30 - 13.30 Music therapy for mental health - prevention through "culture and health"
Music, art and culture do a lot for mental health - but their potential has hardly been systematically exploited to date. Stakeholders from politics, culture and healthcare are therefore calling for a "National Culture and Health Strategy". How can such a strategy succeed - for quality-assured therapies and a better quality of life through cultural participation?
In discussion: Mona Dittrich (music therapist, Deutsche Musiktherapeutische Gesellschaft), Prof. Dr. Uwe Gonther (Medical Director, Ameos Klinikum Bremen), Thomas Isenberg (German representative of the EU Working Group on Culture and Health), statement by Dr. Tanja Machalet (Member of the German Parliament, SPD, Chair of the Health Committee).
26.07.2025, 12.30 - 13.30 Music therapy for neurological diseases such as dementia and stroke
Music therapy has long been considered an effective approach for people with dementia. It promotes memory, participation and quality of life - and is recommended in treatment guidelines. A new federal initiative aims to bundle art, music education and music therapy services in order to meet the increasing demand for care. How can these resources be more closely integrated into the National Dementia Strategy - and how can those affected be given a greater voice?
In discussion: Professor Dr. Jan Sonntag (Medical School Hamburg, Federal Initiative Music and Dementia), Astrid Lärm (Head of the National Dementia Strategy Office at the German Centre of Gerontology), Antje Valentin (Secretary General of the German Music Council), Dr. Frauke Schwaiblmair (Inclusion Officer for the Administrative District of Upper Bavaria, German Music Therapy Society).
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To the congress
At the 13th European Music Therapy Congress, which will take place in Hamburg from July 23 to 27, 2025, more than 200 speakers from over 40 countries will present new scientific findings on music therapy. Almost 1000 congress participants are expected, around 700 on site and a further 250 online. The German Music Therapy Society, the Hamburg University of Music and Drama and the Medical School Hamburg are jointly organizing the congress.
Further information on the congress program can be found at www.emtc2025.de.
Eintritt frei