Laura Hamilton

About Laura

Since early childhood, Laura has nurtured a passion for music, which has gradually evolved into a deep interest in its therapeutic potential. 

Throughout her music degree, Laura has undertaken research as part of modules related to music psychology, examining how individuals respond to and interact with music, and how it is used to support wellbeing and communication. In addition to her research, she has designed and facilitated two distinct community music projects for children in both a mainstream and a specialist primary school.

Laura’s final-year dissertation explored music therapists’ perceptions of artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on its ethical implications for the field of music therapy. Motivated by a commitment to raising awareness about the evolving role of technology in therapeutic settings, Laura’s research project sought to ensure that technological innovations enhance rather than compromise the human-centred nature of music therapy as a profession.

Building on her experience, Laura plans to work with music in care settings to enhance her practical skills and knowledge, with the goal of enrolling in the MSc Music Therapy program at Queen Margaret University in 2026.

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing across healthcare and is increasingly being explored in music therapy to enhance personalisation and accessibility. Although previous research has explored music therapists’ perceptions of AI, it has primarily focused on issues of efficiency and promoting technological innovation, leaving a significant gap regarding the ethical implications of AI integration into clinical practice. To address this gap, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight music therapy professionals and trainees. Thematic analysis identified three central themes, namely: Barriers to AI Integration, Perceived Opportunities of AI in Music Therapy, and Conditions for Ethical AI Integration. Importantly, participants consistently emphasised that AI should augment, rather than replace, human-driven therapeutic processes. These findings extend existing knowledge by specifically examining the ethical considerations of AI in music therapy. Furthermore, the findings inform clinical training and ethical guidelines, ensuring that AI integration prioritises therapist and client agency. Ultimately, this study underscores the importance of maintaining the relational and creative foundations of music therapy as technology continues to evolve within the field.