Facing the music: speculations on the dark side of our moon

Work with people who are dying is painful and no palliative caregiver is exempt from this. The emotional pain associated with being a palliative care music therapist is related to professional training, the experience of being a professional minority and new-corner in the workplace, and the intensity and intimacy of the musical workspace. Questions are posed to facilitate music therapist self-reflection. Therapist self-acceptance includes tolerance for imperfection, which, in turn, affects the music's capacity for containment.