Resources & references

An online destination for discovery & deeper understanding.

Check back often as we add more resources.

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.

Language
Type of reference
Clients
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371 results
Healing connects through music therapy
2014
Type of reference
General information
Author
Jodi Winnwalker
Language
English
Source / Publisher
TED Talks
Country
United States (USA)

Music Therapist Jodi Winnwalker shares the connective and healing power of music.

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.

Hear Our Voices: A Music Therapy Songwriting Program and the Message of the Little Saints through the Medium of Rap
2011
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Scott MacDonald, Michael Viega
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Routledge
Country
United States (USA)

This chapter 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. 

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.

Historia de la Musicoterapia
2018
Type of reference
General information
Language
Spanish
Source / Publisher
Divulgación Dinámica Formación

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.

How and why music therapy reduces distress and improves well-being in advanced dementia care: a realist review
2024
Type of reference
Scientific publications
Author
Naomi Thompson, Helen Odell-Miller, Benjamin R. Underwood et al.
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Nature mental health
Country
United Kingdom (UK)

People with advanced dementia are at increased risk of institutionalization and experiencing distress. This study uses existing research to demonstrate that music therapy can effectively help reduce agitation and improve well-being within interpersonal contexts in long-term care.

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 is published by a center that offers services to facilitate the rehabilitation of clients that suffer from substance abuse/dependency, using proven traditional methods in conjunction with a holistic approach. The article presents how music therapy works and how it can help to contribute in the treatment for addiction recovery.

How Music can Heal our Brain and Heart
2015
Type of reference
General information
Author
Kathleen M. Howland
Language
English
Source / Publisher
TED Talks
Country
United States (USA)

Music therapy is an ancient and yet very modern practice that has the power to heal and transform our brains and bodies in significant ways. Kathleen Howland, speech language and music therapist explains how music really does have the power to heal our brain and heart.

How Music Therapy Can Become Medicine for Hospital Patients
2023
Type of reference
General information
Author
Anicka Quin
Language
English
Source / Publisher
Reader's Digest Best Health
Country
Canada

This article summarizes many ways in which music therapy is used in medical institutions. Testimonials from patients and interviews with therapists are featured. 
 

How music therapy can help anxious children
2019
Type of reference
General information
Author
Elizabeth Coombes
Language
English
Source / Publisher
The Conversation
Country
United Kingdom (UK)

This article describes the ways music therapy has been applied to help children cope with anxiety related disorders

How Music Therapy Can Help People With Cancer
2025
Type of reference
General information
Language
English
Source / Publisher
American Cancer Society
Country
United States (USA)

Learn what music therapy is and how it can help individuals with cancer as per the American Cancer Society. Using a combination of music experiences and conversation, music therapy can help manage symptoms and process emotions among patients.