Resources & references

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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. 

Note (*) : the Institute does not endorse any promotional content, publicity or donation requests that might be included in any of the references.

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64 results Clear all
Functional outcomes in children and adolescents with neurodisability accessing music therapy: A scoping review - plain language summary
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Karen Twyford, Susan Taylor, Jane Valentine, et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology
Country
Australia

Read a plain language summary of an article discussing the use of music therapy in pediatric neurodisability.

Click here to read the original article.

Functional outcomes in children and adolescents with neurodisability accessing music therapy: A scoping review - podcast
2024
Type of reference
General information
Author
Karen Twyford
Language
English
Source / Publisher
DMCN Podcast
Country
Australia

Listen to Karen Twyford discuss her scoping review on the use of music therapy in pediatric neurodisability.

Click here to read the article being discussed.

Grief Song-Writing Process with Bereaved Adolescents: An Integrated Grief Model and Music Therapy Protocol (The)
2006
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Thomas A. Dalton, Robert E. Krout
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music Therapy Perspectives
Country
United States (USA)

This article describes the development and implementation of the Grief Song-Writing Process (GSWP) with bereaved adolescents. Details of this protocol are shared, along with five original songs composed for and during the song-writing process.

Group Music Therapy - addressing social communication and emotional regulation goals
2019
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Sound Expression
Country
Australia

Watch how group music therapy helps three young teens address their social, communication, and emotional regulation goals.

Healing Through Music Therapy at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals
2025
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
UCSF Health
Country
United States (USA)

Watch how music therapy can support children, adolescents and their families in a pediatric hospital setting, and learn how music therapists contribute to interdisciplinary care teams.

Healing Through the Power of Music: Music Therapy at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital
2012
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland
Country
United States (USA)

This video showcases the Jared Kurtin Music Therapy Program at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, which is a clinical and evidence-based program for hospitalized infants, children and their families. This hospital is a leader in creative medical treatment options and has the first established pediatric music therapy program in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Heartbeat Music Therapy Helps Parents Cope with Loss of Teen
2014
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Cincinnati Children's
Country
United States (USA)

Brian Schreck, a music therapist at Cincinnati Children's, helps patients and families dealing with a serious illness or end-of-life diagnosis cope and grieve through innovative music therapy.  In this video, the Bennett family describes how the therapy helped them through the loss of their 14-year-old son, Dylan. They listen to the song every single day.

How Does Music Therapy Help with Addiction Treatment?
2023
Type of reference
General information
Author
Addiction Rehab
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Addiction Rehab Toronto
Country
Canada

This article examines music therapy's role in supporting addiction recovery, the types of musical experiences that benefit this clientele, and its potential limitations.

How music therapy helps sick children cope
2019
Type of reference
General information
Author
Michigan Medicine
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Michigan Medicine
Country
United States (USA)

This video exposes a case study of a child who was born without eyes and has always feared medical procedures. She is enrolled in music therapy at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s to decrease her anxiety.

Interview with a parent about the benefits of music therapy with children with special needs
2013
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Subtitle
English
Source / Publisher
Ryan Judd
Country
United States (USA)

A music therapist speaks with the mother of a young client who receives music therapy services. Learn how music therapy has helped her son, who is diagnosed with Angelman syndrome, find the motivation to achieve his therapeutic goals, including improved social and physical skills.

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

It's like mixing paint: Songwriting gender diversity and alternative gender cultures with young people as an ‘after-queer’ methodology
2019
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Elly Scrine
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy
Country
Norway

This paper conceptualises songwriting as an ‘after-queer’ approach for exploring notions of gender and sexuality with young people. The article draws on songs created by seven groups of young people in music-based workshops which took place in schools with participants aged between 14–17. Songwriting was used to explore the participants' imaginings of what gender might look like in their "perfect world". The paper highlights the value of creative and arts-based methodologies in queer research, through which expansion and questions of possibility, alternative, and identity can be raised and responded to.