Hungarian Music Therapy Association

In 1986, a music therapy category was formed within the Hungarian Psychiatric Association and music therapy later became gradually integrated into the annual conferences of psychology. The First National Music Therapy Conference was organised in 1988 in Budapest. Growing interest in music therapy led to the formation of two Hungarian music therapy associations: the Albert Schweitzer Music Therapy Association in Pécs was founded by Attila Sasvári in 1992, and the Hungarian Music Therapy Association (HMTA) was founded by Ildikó Konta in 1994.HMTA’s chairs included Katalin Urbán Varga (1994-2015), József Tardy (2015-2016) and Mátyás Sőnfeld (2016-2019). The post is currently occupied by József Nyíri-Nagy.

The mission of HMTA includes representing the interests of Hungarian music therapists. Nevertheless, the members remain responsible to safeguard their own interests, which HMTA supports to the extent possible.

Music therapy is listed in the nomenclature of professions in Hungary and the state regulates education standards for music therapy (accreditation for universities, recognition for professional associations, and music therapists educated abroad). Music therapy is classified within the medical services in the area of alternative medicine and music therapists have the status of medical associates or an allied medical profession. The growing number of qualified music therapists has created an opportunity for music therapy to become a more recognised profession, since our identity as music therapists is also strengthened by the academic qualifications that music therapy students acquire.

Members of the board 2020 – present:
József NYÍRI-NAGY – president
Tünde HERCZKU
Zsuzsanna ITTZÉS
Ildikó REIKORT
Julianna PAÁR
Ágnes DÉZSMA GYÖRGYNÉ

Other representatives 2020 – present:
Boglárka KERTÉSZ-FARKAS – EMTC Country Representative

Contact and more info:
mzeinfo@gmail.com