Music spoke where words sometimes could not during “Beyond Words: Music, Emotion, and Therapeutic Connection,” an interdisciplinary workshop held on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at Assumption University’s Hua Mak Campus.
Hosted by the Graduate School of Human Sciences and the ABAC School of Music, the workshop brought together students from across the University to examine how music can support emotional awareness, therapeutic relationships and meaningful human connection.
Dr. Smatya Wathawathana, NMT, a neurologic music therapist at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital of the Thai Red Cross Society and a part-time lecturer at the ABAC School of Music, led the session. Through interactive activities and practical demonstrations, participants explored music as a therapeutic resource and considered how it could be applied responsibly in professional practice. The experiential format encouraged active participation, self-reflection and collaborative learning.
Dr. Satha Phongsatha, Dean of the Graduate School of Human Sciences, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Pannawit Sanitnarathorn, Dean of the ABAC School of Music, attended the workshop. Asst. Prof. Dr. Santhosh Mohanan, Program Director of the Counseling Psychology Programs, coordinated the event.
The workshop followed a call by Rev. Bro. Dr. Sirichai Fonseka, President of Assumption University, during the Annual Faculty Seminar for greater collaboration among the University’s academic units. The partnership connected expertise in counseling psychology and music while giving students a practical view of interdisciplinary learning.
Participants responded positively to Dr. Smatya’s expertise, engaging facilitation and hands-on approach. The workshop strengthened their understanding of music’s therapeutic possibilities and showed how collaboration across disciplines can support mental well-being and professional practice.
WRITER : RAJITHA MENON
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