The SEMTA© Quadrant of Intention and Engagement is a non-judgemental, non-skills-based way to capture the quality of engagement in a quantitative way.
SEMTA© is designed to reflect the diverse nature of a music therapy client group, and aims to benchmark scores against the therapist's knowledge of what their client can reasonably achieve.
Music therapists work with people who can both take part, and refuse to take part, in both intentional and unintentional ways.
No matter how a client engages, it is important that a music therapist is documenting both with what and how a client is engaging.
Clients who show signs of unintentional non-engagement may be exhibiting signs of anxiety, ADHD, or anything else which limits their ability to focus on an intervention, despite their willingness to. It suggests support is needed with focus and regulation.
Clients who unintentionally engage a lot may be doing so due to poor motor control. Their movements might not be purposeful, despite their apparent engagement in a musical improvisation. It suggests support is needed with motor skills, potentially impulse control, as well.
Clients who intentionally refuse to engage are likely doing so due to poor confidence levels, difficulties relating to the therapist, or more inwardly-tuned anxiety. It suggests support is needed with self-esteem, social skills, and perhaps communication.
Clients who intentionally engage a lot might be very confident, but equally they could be 'masking' or playing what they think the therapist wants to see. They are likely to have more subtle aims, and might well be in therapy for a shorter time.
Copyright © 2024 SEMTA© - All Rights Reserved. SEMTA© is a Music Therapy Assessment Tool and not suitable for other disciplines.