Resources & references

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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.

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9 results
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. 

How Does Music Therapy Help with Addiction Treatment?
2023
Author
Addiction Rehab
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Addiction Rehab Toronto

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.

It Is Not Just Music and Rhythm . . . Evaluation of a Drumming-Based Intervention to Improve the Social Wellbeing of Alienated Youth
2012
Author
Simon Faulkner, Lisa Wood, Penny Ivery and Robert Donovan
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Children Australia

The Discovering Relationship Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes & Thoughts (DRUMBEAT) program used drumming as a way of engaging at risk youth in a form of musical expression, while simultaneously incorporating themes and discussions relating to healthy relationships with others. The results support the underlying program theory, that combining the therapeutic potential of musical expression with basic cognitive–behavioural therapy can be used successfully to deliver a range of social learning outcomes, including emotional control, improved relationships and increased self-esteem.

Music therapy helping to work through grief and finding a personal identity
1999
Author
Henk Smeijsters, José van den Hurk
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Music Therapy

This article describes a qualitative single-case study of the treatment of a woman having problems with grief and finding a personal identity. The music therapist used several techniques of improvisation to support the client's cautious steps into a new musical and a new personal world.

Overview of a Music Therapy Program at a Maximum Security Unit of a State Psychiatric Facility
2002
Author
Melinda Fulford
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy Perspectives

This article describes a music therapy program in a maximum security psychiatric state facility. Brief descriptions of the patient population, admission and discharge criteria, safety and security concerns, music therapy interventions, and behavioral strategies are given in order to provide a picture of the program and the concerns associated with this population.

Queering Queer Spaces: Journey of a Creative Arts Program for Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Creative Youth
2019
Author
Spencer Hardy, Juniper Monypenny
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy

As community spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals continue to expand and evolve, a variety of music and art-based programs have begun to develop. This article seeks to present a therapy program developped by an art therapist and a music therapist, targeted towards transgender, nonbinary, gender creative, and questioning youth, age 10-14, who are seeking support in navigating their gender identity and the challenges of identifying outside of the “norm” of cisgender. At a crossroads between traditional clinical mental health services and community-based approaches, it addresses the intentionality behind “queering” this program development as well as a spectrum of challenges and opportunities faced in piloting the program.

Spirit of Giving: Dans la rue music therapy
2010
Author
ctvmontreal.ca
Language
English
Source / Publisher
CTV News

This article describes the music therapy program at "Dans La Rue", a Montreal organization for homeless youth. Testimonials are given from some of the youth that have participated in this program, and the program's music therapist explains why music therapy can be beneficial.

The drum circle project: A qualitative study with at-risk youth in a school setting
2010
Author
Shelley Snow, Miranda D'Amico
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Canadian Journal of Music Therapy

This paper describes a qualitative study that explores possible therapeutic benefits from the implementation of a music therapy drumming circle with at-risk youth in an alternative high school. The results could contribute to the development of this model for music therapists by 1) contributing to our understanding of how this process can work; 2) informing our understanding of therapeutic benefits and potential; 3) informing practice within school settings by music therapists.

The use of group drumming-based music therapy with male adolescents in a school violence prevention program in Korea: A pilot study
2022
Author
Eun Sil Suh
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Psychology of Music

This study investigated how a drumming experience influences students’ aggression and narrative experience as related to school violence. Participants were 15- to 16-year-old students from two classes in a men’s high school in a Southeastern city in Korea. The qualitative data indicated that group drumming may enhance self-esteem, assertiveness, emotional expression, anger management skills, cooperation, feelings of unity, empathy, and active listening skills.