Resources & references

An online destination for discovery & deeper understanding.

Check back often as we add more resources.

Our website is an ever-growing hub of reference material for anyone interested in learning more about music therapy: videos, presentations, interviews, articles, research papers, information about the profession of music therapist and other documents to better understand music therapy and its benefits.

By default, all resources are listed (as shown on drop-down menu to the left of the screen, on yellow background).  You can select a category from that menu or keep looking at all resources.  Then type words into the search bar to choose keywords that will to help refine your search. Every keyword added will increase the precision of the search and limit the number of results. These are listed in alphabetical order of titles. 

If you don't find what you are looking for, please contact us so we can help.

If you have references to propose that we could add to our database, please use this Resource Sharing Form.

256 results
Music Therapy in Palliative Care: New Voices
1999
Author
David Aldridge
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Jessica Kingsley Publishers

This book presents some of the work from music therapists working in different approaches, in different countries, showing how valuable the inclusion of music therapy in palliative care has already proved to be. It is important for the dying, or those with terminal illness, that approaches are used which integrate the physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of their being. 

Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment with Tim Ringgold
2019
Author
Tim Ringgold
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
WRAMTAS

A music therapist presents the use of Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment. He starts by describing life experiences that led him to music therapy. Then, he goes on to discuss the 5 main clinical goals to use when working with this population (which work into the S.O.B.E.R. acronym). Suggested interventions and more are also covered.

Music therapy legacy work in palliative care: Creating meaning at end of life
2006
Author
Louise M. Cadrin
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Canadian Journal of Music Therapy

Legacy work is the process of creatively expressing and documenting one's life, with the goal of leaving the legacy for future generations. Music therapists can offer unique opportunities to create legacy work due to the music medium that is the basis of their work. Three contrasting case studies, incorporating patient, family and therapist perspectives, are presented to illustrate music therapy legacy work.

Music Therapy May Help Teens Cope with Cancer
2014
Author
Mary Brophy Marcus
Language
English
Source / Publisher
WebMD

  This article describes different techniques, interventions and outcomes of teens during cancer treatment. They describe how writing lyrics, making videos helped them get through grueling treatment and connect with others, study found.

Music Therapy program at Calgary's Foothills hospital Expanded
2018
Author
Carolyn Kury de Castilla
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Global News

Music is now being used as medicine at the Foothills Medical Centre intensive care unit in Calgary, helping everyone from palliative care patients to stroke victims.

Music Therapy Program at SickKids
2017
Author
Sick Kids Interactive
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Sick Kids Interactive

This video shows work by music therapist Carolyn Williams with children at Sick Kids Medical Hospital, in Toronto. Parents talk about the impact that music therapy has had on the development and the recovery of their child, while the music therapist comments on the actions and reactions of the children in the video. 

Music Therapy Reduces Pain in Palliative Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
2013
Author
Kathy Jo Gutgsell, Mark Schluchter, Seunghee Margevicius, Peter A. DeGolia, et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Pain and Symtpom Management

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a single music therapy session to reduce pain in palliative care patients. This research validates that a single music therapy intervention incorporating therapist-guided autogenic relaxation and live music was effective in lowering pain in palliative care patients.

Music therapy support groups for cancer patients and caregivers: A mixed-methods approach
2015
Author
Abbey Lynn Dvorak
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Canadian Journal of Music Therapy

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of music therapy support groups (MTSG) on physical, psychological, and social functioning of cancer patients and caregivers. A mixed-methods approach was used, including an experimental, randomized, controlled trial and qualitative data from participant comments. The experimental group demonstrated statistically significant changes pre- to post-session in (a) pain in three sessions; (b) mood, stress, and anxiety in all six sessions; and (c) quality of life in two sessions.

Music Therapy Today
Language
English
Source / Publisher
World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT)

Bi-annual online journal, whose purpose is to disseminate current knowledge and information about music therapy education, clinical practice, and research worldwide.

Music Therapy with Families: Therapeutic Approaches and Theoretical Perspectives
2017
Author
Stine Lindahl Jacobsen, Grace Thompson
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Jessica Kingsley Publishers

This book describes well-defined models of music therapy for working with families in different clinical areas, ranging from families with special needs children or dying family members through to families in psychiatric or paediatric hospital settings. International contributors discuss their specific approaches and share case studies. Particular emphasis is placed on connecting theory and clinical practice and on discussing the challenges and relevance of each model.

Music Therapy With Trauma Patients and Their Families on a Pediatric Service
1984
Author
Laura Mc Donnell
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy

 Music therapy can uniquely help severely injured children and their families deal with the events surrounding an accident and its aftermath. The use of music therapy in treating these families on a pediatric service is described and illustrated with a fracture patient and a burn patient

Music therapy, with a focus on babies, at the Montreal Children's Hospital
2021
Language
Bilingual (English & French)
Subtitle
French/English - in language other than audio
Source / Publisher
Montreal Children's Hospital

 Pascal Comeau is part of the team of music therapists working at this hospital. With a variety of instruments, Pascal does much more than make music. By cleverly using soothing sounds, bright colors and fun shapes, he helps children who are admitted to the hospital for long periods of time or who have frequent appointments express their stress, fears and other feelings through music.For children with physical disabilities, playing an instrument and moving to the beat of the music can even improve their motor skills. In this video, find out more about the fascinating profession of music therapist!