In 1972, at the initiative of musician, composer, and pedagogue Prof. Dr. Tadeusz Natanson (1927–1990) and psychiatrist Dr. Andrzej Janicki (1927–2020), the first and, for a quarter of a century, the only Section of Music Therapy in Poland was established within the structures of the Chair of Composition and Music Theory of the then State Higher School of Music (PWSM). Today, it functions within the Faculty of Composition, Conducting, Music Theory, and Music Therapy at the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław.

The members of the Section of Music Therapy are primarily engaged in training qualified professionals for the music therapy profession, educating future academic teachers, and carrying out research programs. Their scholarly activity includes conducting research, organizing thematic conferences, and publishing professional literature in the field of music therapy. Within the research areas defined by the interests of individual staff members, several problem areas can be distinguished, among them: studies on the perception of musical art and its pro-health impact, the theoretical foundations of music therapy, analysis of musical substance, programming music for therapy, music therapy diagnostics, as well as methods and techniques of music therapy. It is worth noting that the members of the Section of Music Therapy are the authors of numerous monographs and scientific chapters well recognized in the music therapy community. They also publish articles in renowned, high-impact national and international scientific journals.

A distinctive feature of the academic music therapy that was initiated at the Wrocław Academy in the early 1970s was the early — in comparison to other European countries, and unique in Poland — launch of professional training for music therapists within the framework of higher education. In the academic year 1973/74, a two-year Postgraduate Program in Music Therapy was inaugurated, laying the foundations for future five-year master’s studies in music therapy, later four-year extrafaculty studies, and, since the academic year 2003/2004, three-year undergraduate (first-cycle) and two-year complementary master’s (second-cycle) programs, along with Postgraduate Studies in Music Therapy. These programs continue today as the specialization in Music Therapy within the field of Composition and Music Theory offered by the Academy.

The Section of Music Therapy also hosts a dynamic Student Scientific Association of Music Therapy. Its members promote music therapy, organize conferences and congresses for music therapy students, music therapy concerts, meetings with distinguished therapists, and study visits to other centers dedicated to music therapy.

In addition to research activities, the staff of the Section of Music Therapy strive to disseminate theoretical knowledge and practical experience in music therapy and to promote in society the idea of benefiting from the health-enhancing effects of musical art. To this end, they organize lectures, talks, demonstration classes, and workshops.