Creating space to grow: Exploring the concept of 'safe space' through music therapy practice in a residential service for people with neurological disabilities.

This arts-informed practitioner action research project began with the question “how can an exploration of the concept of ‘safe space’ enrich my music therapy practice?” The context for this research was a residential facility for adults with disabilities, many of which had a neurological origin. I was part of this community as a music therapy student for one day per week for nine months during a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected individual and collective wellbeing. Through three cycles of action and reflection in the second half of my placement, I used a variety of approaches to understand the contestable concept of ‘safe space.’ I used my discoveries to inform my music therapy practice. Reflexive thematic analysis was used at the end of each cycle and to integrate the work as a whole. The research process provided a framework for generating rich and diverse insights about my emerging practice as a music therapist where I aim to co-create ‘space to grow’ with other participants. I questioned the language of ‘safe space’ in relation to more holistic concepts of health, safety, hauora (holistic wellbeing), āhurutanga (interpersonal warmth) and hospitality. I explored the importance of addressing the ecological and geographical aspects of ‘space’ when seeking to create optimal conditions for therapeutic growth. I discovered the value of metaphor as a therapeutic tool and as a way of describing my practice. I developed the metaphor of an ecotone, an ecological transitional zone, in relation to findings about the importance of structure, diversity, and the value of musicking together. I found that music therapy can purposefully and creatively promote social bonding even in environments experiencing substantial tension.