Resources & references

Watch as a music therapist sings and plays a hello song for a child during an individual music therapy session.

Hayley Echols, a board-certified music therapist, explains how she incorporates hello and goodbye songs to enhance emotional expression and communication, with examples for different ages.

This video (in Spanish) explains how music has been used therapeutically throughout history. It describes how music was used in ancient civilizations, the Middle Ages, the renaissance, the baroque period, and the modern age, when music therapy was established as a profession.

Watch the interaction between registered music therapist, Grace Elliot, and her client in their music therapy session, working on goals of communication, motor skills and regulation.

Learn about the development of a group music therapy program for autistic adult women targeting self-expression, communication, and impulse control.

This research article presents a case study of an adult man with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who participated in music therapy sessions. The results determined that music improvisation improved affect regulation, exploration of trauma-related issues, and self-agency.

Read how Nordoff Robbins music therapy helped a child with complex needs improve communication and self-expression, with testimonials from her mother and therapist.

Click here to watch a live Nordoff Robbins music therapy session.

This literature review explores existing research pertaining to speech and language development in young children, both in the field of music therapy and from other fields which may be relevant to music therapy practice. It seeks to determine the treatment implications for music therapists.

Click here to watch a playlist of music videos to target speech sounds.

Watch music therapist Karen Hook describe how she uses music therapy with autistic children and children with learning disabilities. 

Click here to watch part 2 of the documentary.

A comprehensive guide to music therapy with young children, providing a detailed examination of development from birth to age five, with theoretical perspectives and extensive scales of developmental milestones. The author categorizes development within five levels. An expansive catalog of musical goals is provided for singing, playing, moving, and musical understanding within each level.

Music therapy allows children with visual impairment to reach their goals and develop their motor, cognitive and communications skills. Children who are part of the group explain why they enjoy music therapy. 

Watch how Benji and his music therapist engage together to work towards his goals targeting collaboration, communication, and social skills.