Resources & references

Video interview with Méliane Laurier-Cromp, music therapist at the Centre de Pédiatrie Sociale de Laval. Reflexions on the role of the music therapist inside the social pediatrics team and on the added value of music therapy at the CPSL.

Masters thesis that analyzes concepts of social paediatrics applied to music therapy. Results describe the application of these concepts by music therapists working within this approach. 

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.
 

Read an article exploring the use of narrative songwriting into family music therapy sessions. Results suggest that the final product of a song supports sustained positive changes beyond the therapy space.

This chapter in the book Therapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip-Hop, details a unique music therapy songwriting program, Hear Our Voices, and the songwriting process of the Little Saints, a group of “at-risk” fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade children in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The authors, who were also the music therapists working with this group, discuss the relevance of Hip-Hop culture, and its musical framework, to the music therapy process, and to the success of the program. 
 

The DRUMBEAT program uses drumming to engage at-risk youth in musical expression and discussions on healthy relationships. Findings support its theory that integrating music therapy with cognitive–behavioural principles promotes emotional control, better relationships, and higher self-esteem.

This paper examines current literature in developmental psychology in order to discuss how music therapy can foster resilience in early childhood. Music therapy can help prepare young children and their families for handling adversity, increase parental sensitivity, and create multiple opportunities for families to develop adaptive interpersonal interaction patterns.

Read about the program DRUMBEAT (Discovering Relationships Using Music, Beliefs, Emotions, Attitudes and Thoughts), which shows significant improvements in students' self-esteem, and internalizing and externalizing behaviours, as reported by both teachers and students.

One of the few controlled researches that focus on parental bonding and music therapy. Music therapists working with families address relationship and interpersonal communication issues; this research documents how music therapy supports mutuality and reciprocity in parent-child interactions.

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.

This study investigated the impact of a drumming experience on student's agressivity in adolescent males as part of a program addressing school violence. Results found a positive impact of drumming on reducing anger as well as an increase in areas such as self-esteem, cooperation, empathy, active listening and emotional expression.