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
Essential role of music therapy in medical assistance in dying (The)
2020
Author
Amy Clements-Cortes and Joyce Yip
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Oxford University Press Blog

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

Ethnomusicological perspectives on autism, neurodiversity, and music therapy.
2014
Author
Bakan, M.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 14(3).

 This article suggests a provisional paradigm shift from disability as pathology, to disability as neurodiversity: this has the potential to productively resituate the epistemological orientations of music therapy, both as a field of inquiry and a domain of practice. Drawaing from their own work on the ethnomusicology of autism, as well as from research and writings in disability studies and autistic self-advocacy, they propose that the relativistic foundations of ethnomusicology offer a potentially useful alternative and complement to the principally treatment-directed foundations of music therapy.

European Music Therapy Confederation (EMTC)
Language
English
Source / Publisher
European Music Therapy Confederation (EMTC)

The European Music Therapy Confederation was founded in 1991, as a forum for exchange between music therapists in Europe. The EMTC is a confederation of professional music therapy associations, working actively to promote the further development of professional practice in Europe, and to foster exchange and collaboration between member countries.

Evaluation of a music therapy social skills development program for youth with limited resources
2018
Author
Varvara Pasiali
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Music Therapy, Volume 55, Issue 3

This research examines the potential benefit of a music therapy social skills development program to improve social skills and academic performance of school-aged children with limited resources, in an afterschool program.
 

Exit music: The experience of music therapy within medical assistance in dying
2020
Author
SarahRose Black, Gary Rodin, Lee Bartel
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Healthcare 8(3)

Since the 2015 Canadian legalization of medical assistance in dying (MAiD), many Canadian music therapists have become involved in the care of those requesting this procedure. This qualitative study, the first of its kind, examines the experience of music therapy within MAiD, exploring lived experience from three perspectives: the patient, their primary caregiver, and the music therapist/researcher.

Expériences de musicothérapeutes travaillant à court terme avec des groupes d’adolescents en santé mentale
2021
Author
Erika Guittard
Language
French
Source / Publisher
Canadian Journal of Music Therapy

This phenomenological study aims to document the practice of music therapy in adolescent mental health, and more specifically the brief therapy sessions carried out with groups of adolescents. Through semi-structured interviews, three Canadian music therapists, working primarily in mental health with adolescents, share their professional experience. Three main themes emerged: (a) the main goals addressed in this type of context, (b) the program structures generally established, and (c) the professional skills required.

Exploring music for students who are blind
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Perkins School for the Blind

This report tells how music therapists help the various needs of students in a school for the blind. Different music therapy interventions are described, and music therapists explain how they address goals based on their students' Individual education plan. 

Exploring the Effects of Music Therapy on Pediatric Pain: Phase 1
2007
Author
Annette M. Whitehead-Pleaux, Natasha Zebrowski, Mary Jo Baryza, Robert L. Sheridan
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Music Therapy

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety in pediatric burn patients during nursing procedures. The results from the qualitative and quantitative data indicated that music therapy reduced pain, anxiety, and behavioral distress, while increasing mood and enhancing relaxation. 

Fact Sheet - Music Therapy for Pain Management
2021
Language
English
Source / Publisher
American Music Therapy Association

Music therapists work across populations and age groups to assist with pain management, from children during painful procedures to people at end-of-life care. Music therapists address acute, chronic as well as procedural pain.

Feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a drum circle activity to improve affect in patients, families and staff of a pediatric hospital
2020
Author
Kim Archabault, Élyse Porter-Vignola, Frédéric Brière, Patricia Garel
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Arts & Health

This study evaluated the feasibility and potential benefits of a drum circle activity designed to improve the affective experience of patients, families and staff in a large pediatric hospital. This preliminary study supports the usefulness of group drumming to enhance the well-being of pediatric hospital patients, families and staff.

Forms of vitality and microanalysis in music therapy within adult autism: A clinical report
2020
Author
Balducci, A.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy 7(2), 197-206.

 This article examines as a clinical report two years of an ongoing music therapy journey with a young woman with autism. The different phases of the music therapy process are investigated from a relational point of view, explaining the therapeutic choices made by the therapist. including the application of theory of "Forms of vitality".

Fostering Pre-Professionals and Learning Experiences in End-of-Life Care Contexts: Music Therapy Internship Supervision
2024
Author
Amy Clements-Cortéz, Sara Klinck
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Healthcare, 12(4)

This article is a narrative review which offers background information on palliative care music therapy, and reports the authors’ viewpoints and reflections on supervision strategies and models employed with music therapy interns in palliative care settings based on their experiences. Approaches are shared on supporting pre-professionals as they begin working in palliative care contexts, as well as implications for supervision practices.