Resources & references

Music therapist, Trish, explains what music therapy is, how it supports patients in pediatric medical settings, and what her job entails.

Read how a music therapy program for adolescents with eating disorders involved the participants in designing the session content. Results indicated that this participation may help build positive relationships and reduce distress. 

Read a study discussing the impact of a group music therapy intervention to support adolescents in depression recovery post COVID-19. Results demonstrated statistically significant changes in several physiological measures associated with improvements in depressive changes in the music therapy group, but not in the control group. This finding supports the use of music therapy in this group to improve depression.

Read about a therapy program by an art and music therapist for transgender, nonbinary, and gender-questioning youth, supporting gender identity exploration and learn about the challenges and opportunities encountered during its pilot implementation.

Read a thesis exploring the literature around combining narrative therapy techniques with therapeutic songwriting techniques to support children and adolescents living through adverse childhood experiences. Trauma-informed care is highlighted, as well as a discussion surrounding both factors which can promote and which can hinder success of the approach.

Read about the "Rise Up" program, an interdisciplinary program supporting children 9-17 years old from immigrant families in sharing their experiences and talents artistically with their community. Described by the director of one of the involved university departments as "community music therapy in action," the article also includes the reflections of music therapy students on their mentorship role in the program.

This study explores how a music therapy group was able to support young people's transition from mental health services into everyday community engagement. Results showed that the group provided a safe space to support the processes of coming together and constructing social identity. 

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.

Ryan Judd, a board-certified music therapist, explains why hello songs are used in music therapy sessions. He also provides an example of a hello song and demonstrates how it can be adapted for both children and teenagers.

Read an article reporting on the first phase of the assessment of a new tool, the music therapy sensory instrument for cognition, consciousness, and awareness (MuSICCA), used for assessing awareness and consciousness in pediatric disorders of consciousness (DoC). Raters agreed that MuSICCA's appears to be effective in assessing consciousness and awareness, and is suitable for use with children and young people.

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 explored the efficacy of group music therapy sessions for teenagers and adults receiving in-patient eating disorder treatment. The results determined that music therapy was effective in reducing negative affect, improving emotional expression, supporting social connection, and helping patients on their recovery journey.