Resources & references

An online destination for discovery & deeper understanding.

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The purpose of our database is to provide an easy access to knowledge about music therapy and its application with a diverse array of clientele.  We therefore propose a selection of pertinent references, however not exhaustive, given that each week more research and other information are published around the world. 

Language
Type of reference
Clients
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          5 results
          Music of the Soul: Composing Life out of Loss
          2006
          Type of reference
          General information
          Author
          Joy S. Berger
          Language
          English
          Source / Publisher
          Routledge
          Keywords
          Book for general public
          Bereavement and grief
          Dementia
          End of Life
          Pain
          Community
          Composition
          Enhance mood
          Self-expression
          Emotional processing
          Body
          Mental health
          Children
          Teenagers
          Adults
          Elderly

          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. 

          Visit the website of the publisher
          Music Therapy for Adults with Mental Health and Substance Use Conditions
          2021
          Type of reference
          General information
          Author
          American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
          Language
          English
          Source / Publisher
          American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
          Keywords
          General article
          Hospital
          In the Community
          Prison
          Addiction
          Anxiety
          Depression
          Eating Disorders
          Psychiatric conditions
          Substance Use Disorder
          Coping skills
          Composition
          Music listening
          Emotional expression
          Improvisation
          Group interaction
          Locus of control
          Motivation
          Change readiness
          Quality of life
          Re-creating music
          Mental health
          Adults

          This fact sheet from the American Music Therapy Association provides information about music therapy practices for adults with mental health and substance use challenges. This page provides information on relevant definitions and statistics, the types of mental health settings in which music therapists work, potential outcomes of music therapy, contraindications for music therapy, the clinical process, and effectiveness research.

          Read the article
          Music therapy legacy work in palliative care: Creating meaning at end of life
          2006
          Type of reference
          Scientific publications
          Author
          Louise M. Cadrin
          Language
          English
          Source / Publisher
          Canadian Journal of Music Therapy
          Keywords
          Research article
          Palliative care
          Composition
          Adults
          Elderly

          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.

          Read the abstract of the scientific article
          Musicothérapie et santé mentale : l’expérience de musicothérapeutes québécois
          2017
          Type of reference
          Scientific publications
          Author
          Guylaine Vaillancourt
          Language
          French
          Source / Publisher
          Revue officielle de l’Association canadienne des musicothérapeutes
          Keywords
          Research article
          Hospital
          In the Community
          Anxiety
          Depression
          Psychiatric conditions
          Singing
          Choir
          Composition
          Musical recording
          Emotional expression
          Improvisation
          Group music therapy
          Individual music therapy
          Mental health
          Adults

          The objective of this phenomenological research is to document the experience of music therapists practicing in mental health with adults receiving services in community and hospital settings in Quebec. Reflections, recommendations, research ideas, and the results of interviews are presented here. It is hoped that this work will help to foster the use of music therapy practices in mental health, an innovative and creative approach.

          Read the article (in French)
          Pouvoir apaisant de la musique / Soothing power of music
          2018
          Type of reference
          General information
          Language
          French
          Subtitle
          French
          Source / Publisher
          Montreal General Hospital Foundation
          Keywords
          Interview
          Hospital
          Depression
          Psychiatric conditions
          Active music therapy
          Choir
          Composition
          Mental health
          Adults

          In his studio at the Montreal General Hospital, music therapist Dany Bouchard uses music to connect with patients of the Mental Health Mission. Through regular sessions, Dany helps access their emotions, patients express their feelings, and open new doors to healing.

          Listen to the interview (26:21, in French)