Resources & references

This article is published by a center that offers services to facilitate the rehabilitation of clients that suffer from substance abuse/dependency, using proven traditional methods in conjunction with a holistic approach. The article presents how music therapy works and how it can help to contribute in the treatment for addiction recovery.

This article describes the ways music therapy has been applied to help children cope with anxiety related disorders

UofL Health (Louisville, Kentucky) is integrating music therapy into its care plan for inpatient psychiatric patients at UofL Hospital. This video introduces you to Katelyn Farris, the music therapist who is helping patients relax and recover through the soothing sounds of music.

This video exposes a case study of a child who was born without eyes and has always feared medical procedures. She is enrolled in music therapy at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s to decrease her anxiety.

This intervention guide is designed for music therapists and recreation and leisure/activity team members who support individuals living in retirement and long-term care (LTC) homes and wish to provide intergenerational music therapy experiences to their residents. The creation of the Jamboree was a collaborative process between the music therapist and the director of recreation at the Village of Riverside Glen LTC home in Guelph, Canada. The team advocates that creating intergenerational opportunities can benefit the health and well-being of both younger and older individuals. 

The Jamboree is an intergenerational music therapy program in which young children, typically between the age of 0-4, and their accompanying adults (e.g., parent, grandparent, guardian) take part in weekly music therapy sessions along with residents living in retirement or LTC. During each session, a certified music therapist leads the group in singing songs, moving to music, using instruments and props (e.g., drums, scarves, bubbles) and gently facilitates interaction between participants. Additional care providers (e.g., recreation team members) observe, support and can participate in the program alongside the residents.

This research article presents a case study of an adult man with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who participated in music therapy sessions. The results determined that music improvisation improved affect regulation, exploration of trauma-related issues, and self-agency.

This paper conceptualises songwriting as an ‘after-queer’ approach for exploring notions of gender and sexuality with young people. The article draws on songs created by seven groups of young people in music-based workshops which took place in schools with participants aged between 14–17. Songwriting was used to explore the participants' imaginings of what gender might look like in their "perfect world". The paper highlights the value of creative and arts-based methodologies in queer research, through which expansion and questions of possibility, alternative, and identity can be raised and responded to.

Article in a magazine that states the benefits of music therapy for individuals going through bereavement. Information about goals of music therapy and certified music therapists (MTA) are provided. 

 Liz Mitchell, certified MTA,  shares her story

 Music Therapist Miya Adout describes her approach in working with elderly populations in a long term care setting, focusing on supporting empowering musical experiences, also aplicable in mental health settings

This interdisciplinary book guides the reader through principles, techniques, and exercises for incorporating music into grief counseling, with the end goal of further empowering the grieving person. Music has a unique ability to elicit a whole range of powerful emotional responses in people - even so far as altering or enhancing one's mood - as well as physical reactions. The book uses musical expression to help the bereaved find meaning in loss and hurt, and move forward with their lives.