Resurrecting ritual in music therapy
Integrating Ritual into Clinical Practice: Enhancing Meaning, Intention, and Transformation in Music Therapy
Are you seeking to deepen the intentionality of your music therapy practice?
Do you want to explore how ritual can create safer, more meaningful spaces for your clients?
Rituals—whether personal or cultural—shape how we experience transitions, build connection, and find meaning. From daily routines to spiritual ceremonies, ritual is a universal framework for holding and transforming experience. Music, often central to ritual, is a powerful vehicle for this process.
In this tutorial, Nsamu Moonga draws on cross-cultural perspectives and clinical experience to explore the role of ritual in therapeutic work. You’ll be guided to reflect on the rituals already present in your own life and practice, and consider how they can be harnessed intentionally to support therapeutic goals and client wellbeing.
This self-paced learning includes:
- A recorded lecture with practical examples
- Reflection prompts and guided activities
- Supplementary readings and resources
- Optional homework to deepen integration and earn CMTE credits
This tutorial is ideal for experienced music therapists interested in expanding their clinical toolbox with culturally sensitive, transformative approaches rooted in ritual and music.
Your Instructor
Nsamu Moonga is a Zambian-born, classically trained singer and licensed music therapist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and as a professional psychotherapist with the Zambia Counselling Council. Nsamu holds a BA in Psychology and a Masters in Music Therapy. For the master’s research, Nsamu investigated the place of music therapy in the life of the baTonga people of Mazabuka in the southern province of Zambia. BaTonga have employed the musical arts to foster community, personal, spiritual and place well-being. Nsamu has served on the World Federation of Music Therapy, the International Association for Music and Medicine, the International Association for Creative Arts in Education and Therapies, and the South African National Arts Therapies Association. Nsamu, a PhD candidate at the University of Pretoria, is a lecturer at the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg. Nsamu’s PhD research explores how people with cancer can utilise the indigenous musical arts to manage anxiety and distress. He has multiple publications, including book chapters and journal articles, and is a regular speaker at conferences. He also serves on the editorial boards of CAET, Voices and the South African Journal of the Arts Therapies. His work explores health, lifestyle choices, medical complications, human sexualities, gender, spiritual experiences, and psychosocial support, focusing on anti-oppressive and non-interventionist practices.
Course Curriculum
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PreviewIntroduction, Overview & Learning Outcomes (17:18)
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StartChapter 1. Resurrecting ritual: What is the nature of ritual and its importance in people's lives? (16:46)
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StartChapter 2. Elements of ritual: What makes a ritual in practice? (5:50)
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StartChapter 3. Identifying and practising ritual: Community, cultural and personal rituals (16:13)
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StartChapter 4. MT as ritual: Using cultural and historical ritual to devise our own rituals (2:46)
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StartChapter 5. Summary, Bonus Content and Extra Resources (11:16)
Earn 4+ CMTE's quickly and easily.
Watch the tutorial and complete the optional homework activities to earn 4+ CMTE's.