Resources & references

An online destination for discovery & deeper understanding.

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The purpose of our resources database is to provide an easy access to knowledge about music therapy and its application with a diverse array of clientele, and to help answer questions from a diversity of visitors seeking information about music therapy. 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.  

If you wish to contribute to our database, click on the button below. The proposed references are submitted to an analysis and a selection process by a team of music therapists from the Institute. Thank you in advance!

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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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Type of reference
Clients
Format
233 results Clear all
Fostering Pre-Professionals and Learning Experiences in End-of-Life Care Contexts: Music Therapy Internship Supervision
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Amy Clements-Cortéz, Sara Klinck
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Healthcare, 12(4)
Country
Canada

This article is a narrative review which offers background information on palliative care music therapy, and reports the authors’ viewpoints and reflections on supervision strategies and models employed with music therapy interns in palliative care settings based on their experiences. Approaches are shared on supporting pre-professionals as they begin working in palliative care contexts, as well as implications for supervision practices.

Click here to read a summary of the article.

"From story to song": Translating narrative interventions into family music therapy through songwriting
2026
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Sara Lurie, Ayelet Dassa
Language
English
Source / Publisher
The Arts in Psychotherapy
Country
Israel

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.

Functional outcomes in children and adolescents with neurodisability accessing music therapy: A scoping review
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 scoping review on the use of music therapy in pediatric neurodisability. Results indicated that music therapy is effective both as a stand-alone treatment and in interprofessional teams within this population, and targets a wide range of domains of function.

Click here to listen to a podcast about the article / Cliquez ici pour écouter un balado a propos de l'article.

Future perspectives on neural mechanisms underlying rhythm and music based neurorehabilitation in Parkinson’s disease
2018
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Yuko Koshimori, Michael H. Thaut
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Ageing Research Reviews
Country
Canada

This article reviews current knowledge to guide future neuroimaging studies on the therapeutic effects of rhythm and music-based interventions for motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Gender affirming voicework: An introduction for music therapy
2019
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Maevon Gumble
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy
Country
United States (USA)

Informed by personal experiences, queer autoethnographic research, and literature from the fields of speech-language pathology, vocal pedagogy and music therapy, this paper is an introduction to gender affirming voicework in music therapy, the training that it might involve, and several questions/issues that need further exploration. As a new holistic method grounded in a queer theoretical framework, the author envisions this work to be a therapeutic space focused on accessing and embodying affirming gender expressions by working with the intersections of the physical voice, the psychological voice, and the body as these each become relevant to an individual.

GIM grabs you, it takes you into the experience that you're ready to have: An interview with Jim Borling
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Jim Borling, Anna Giménez Castells
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music
Country
United States (USA)

Jim Borling, a renowned practitioner and leading trainer of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), explains how this approach has profoundly shaped his life and the lives of others through its influence on the psychosocial, emotional, biological, and spiritual dimensions of therapy.

Global perspectives on addressing systemic issues in music therapy curricula and healthcare
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Amy Clements-Cortés, Melissa Mercadal-Brotons, Hakeem Leonard, et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 24(1)
Country
Austria
Brazil
Canada
United States (USA)
Hong Kong
Norway
Spain

The discipline of music therapy is practiced differently across the globe and over the years, in all regions of the world, the number of music therapy training programs has expanded. This article focuses on the challenges and issues faced by the discipline of music therapy and health in general, based on the analysis of systemic issues in education and training, social issues, and significant issues such as multiculturalism, equity, and race around the world.

Graduate music therapists' experiences of using the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music as a form of supervision: A creative process for exploring work-based issues, professional identity, and personal wellbeing
2025
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Imogen Clark, Melissa Murphy
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
Country
Australia

Read a study exploring the experiences of new music therapists using the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery in Music (GIM) as a form of supervision. A central theme of emerging professional identity was identified, and results indicated that GIM can be a supportive form of professional supervision for new music therapists.

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 Telehealth Music Therapy With Caregivers: A Qualitative Inquiry
2022
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Annabelle Brault, Guylaine Vaillancourt
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Journal of Patient Experience
Country
Canada

This qualitative study explored the experiences of informal caregivers of older adults who took part in group telehealth music therapy. Semi-structured interviews with 5 women caregivers were conducted. Through a thematic analysis process, the following themes were identified: (a) affordances of group telehealth music therapy, (b) challenges of group telehealth music therapy, and (c) music as a health resource. Telehealth considerations, clinical implications, as well as ways to support caregiver agency are discussed.

Guided Imagery and Music and the Visually Impaired. Help me stay with the light!
2016
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Maria Samara
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Music and Medicine
Country
Switzerland

Read an article exploring the use of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music with blind/visually impaired individuals, including the adaptations required for employing this method within this population. 

High-frequency vs. low-frequency MIDI-assisted group music therapy in psychiatric inpatients: A randomized controlled trial
2026
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Manuel Esteban-Cárdenas,Ana Gómez-Puentes,Carlos Torres-Delgado et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
PLOS One
Country
Colombia

Read a study investigating the impact of different music therapy session frequencies on stress, anxiety, depression and life satisfaction in psychiatric inpatients. Results found positive effects in both the lower frequency and the higher frequency groups, with a greater benefit on stress reduction for the higher frequency group.