(წაიკითხეთ ეს ქართულად.)

In November 2023, I had the pleasure of returning to Tbilisi to deliver training and supervision as part of Project Georgia. From 2014 through to 2019, I visited Georgia once each year for various aspects of the project – initial training, local support, delivering Training for Trainers, and presenting at a local conference. When I left Tbilisi at the end of the 2019 visit, I had no idea that it would be a full four and a half years until I would next step foot on Georgian soil. As such, my return felt long overdue, although of course I had kept up to date with the project and supported from afar via Zoom in the interim. This time my visit had two activities; two days of delivering the Intensive Study Training as part of the Distance Learning Programme which started a few months prior, and a day of supervision to support staff at the Music Therapy Centre.

It felt quite surreal to step through the doors at the Parents’ Bridge Day Centre after so long, where all of the activities were kindly being hosted. I was flooded with memories, and overjoyed to see familiar faces – both of staff members and service users whom I met on that first visit nine years ago. I also met many new practitioners on this visit; this included students who had travelled from further afield to attend the weekend training, and newer local practitioners from the Parents’ Bridge itself. The wonderful Eliso Gvasalia once again joined me across my visit to provide interpretation.

It was a particular privilege to work alongside Georgian music therapist Tako Jordania for the first time. Tako and I met in person very briefly during my 2019 visit, and have spent many hours together on Zoom since, but nothing beats being in the same room together. Tako has been expertly leading the Distance Learning Programme since September 2023, and the sense of community she has fostered from afar between the students on the course was immediately obvious. The group seemed like old friends, and I was honoured to be warmly welcomed me into the fold. Alongside the seven DLP participants, three staff members from the Parents’ Bridge itself were able to join us for both days of the intensive training. It felt rather full-circle to have Aliona Oganovi contributing to the training alongside myself and Tako; Aliona was a student on the initial training course delivered in 2014, and I am so happy to see how she has continued to develop her distinct method of practise. Feedback from all the students was stellar, and I was so impressed by the thoughtful discussion, engagement and sensitive musicality displayed by all.

On the Monday following the IST weekend, I returned to the Music Therapy Centre for one more day of input, this time meeting with four staff members from the Centre itself and attached day centre who had been trained internally; a testimony to the sustainability of the project thus far. This day marked the start of an ongoing supervisory relationship, as we will meet again for online supervision over the next few months. After an introductory meeting with all of us together, the group split into two for separate pair supervision sessions. We concluded with a final meeting all together to reflect upon the day’s learnings. Practical ideas were plentiful, and I look forward to hearing how these have been implemented in our next meeting. Overall, I couldn’t have asked for a more fulfilling, exciting and nostalgic return to Tbilisi. The city’s slogan is “the city that loves you”; the feeling is certainly reciprocal. I can’t wait to see where the project goes next, and certainly hope I’ll be back again before 2028!

Do you work with young children with disabilities?

Are you interested to learn more about music therapy so that you can incorporate music-making into your activities? If so please contact takojordania@musicastherapy.org to express your interest.