Introduction to Music Therapy Practice

An overview of music therapy clinical practice in the 21st century, structured around the ways music therapists engage clients in music experiences – re-creating, composing, improvising and active listening. The text includes forty-eight case illustrations from twenty-nine clinicians practicing with diverse client populations. These cases demonstrate how the music therapist adapts the method to meet the unique needs and interests of clients. The benefits of these methods are outlined, and representative research is provided to support clinical applications. Ten context examples written by ten music therapists experienced in those settings are included that illustrate similarities and differences in the roles music therapy may play in treatment. An historical review of the profession is included, providing perspective on the evolution of music therapy as a profession to date. A resource section of professional organizations, peer-reviewed publications, and publishers concludes the text. The text is structured for use by instructors who teach introductory music therapy courses in which the content is presented through an experiential approach, and formatted to provide flexibility for good fit into the instructor’s course.