Resources & references

Learn about the National Music Therapy Institute, founded by music therapist Suzanne Caron—its mission, vision, and history, along with key projects developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including online music therapy for family caregivers, autistic individuals, as well as training initiatives for music therapists.

An article about Katie Fitzpatrick, who has dedicated her education and career to music therapy and is blazing a trail in the treatment of chronic pain.

This article summarizes findings from a research article that explores the musical skills required to be a music therapist. Findings were gathered based on the opinions of a dozen music therapists in the United States and have implications for the education and  training of future music therapists.

Click here to read the research study referenced in this article.

This article provides recommendations for music therapy practice and research among individuals with chronic pain using sickle cell disease as an exemplar condition. The research on music therapy for chronic pain management has shown that music therapy is particularly helpful in improving people's pain-related self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is well recognized to play an essential role in effective management of chronic pain.

This article discusses the positive benefits on well-being of adding music therapy to kangaroo care, which stresses the importance of skin to skin touch for preterm infants.

This is a summary of a study, which reveals promising findings for the application of improvisational music therapy in assuaging the multidimensional acute pain of adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). 

This document describes how music therapy can benefit elderly and their caregivers. It explains what music therapy is, its affordability and accessibility in Australia, and how it can improve the quality of life among adults with dementia, anxiety, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases.

This article describes work by music therapists to support patients in medically assisted dying, and discusses the role music therapy can play for individuals with these needs.

This story explores Jorien Habing's research examining the role of songwriting to help individuals who have acquired blindness or visual impairment adjust to their new reality. 

This article describes music therapy services offered at the adult psychiatry department of the Montreal General Hospital.

This article provides general information on how music therapy can support individuals with various mental health needs. It explains what music therapy is, who can benefit, how it can support adults and teens, and music therapy experiences that are beneficial in offering emotional support.

Read an article detailing a study on interprofessional collaboration between music therapists and physiotherapists in therapy targeting movement for individuals with late-stage Huntington's Disease. The study found better results when both therapists worked together, compared to physiotherapists working independently, and that simpler rhythmic cues were more effective than more complex melodic cues.

Click here to read the original article.