Music Therapy
- Rachel Darnley-Smith - University of Roehampton, UK
- Helen M Patey
Music Therapy is an introduction to contemporary training and practice. Written in a clear, jargon-free style, the book provides a lively source of information and ideas for all who are new to music therapy.
Written by highly experienced practitioners, the book examines improvisation, the principal method for music therapy, and points to the underlying assumptions about music, which shape this way of working. Two of the main music therapy approaches - Analytic Music Therapy and Nordoff- Robbins Music Therapy - are also outlined.
Drawing on their own experience, the authors examine a range of clinical situations and give examples of working with children and adults with a range of needs, including autism, learning disabilities and mental health problems. They highlight the many issues, which arise from day-to-day practice and explore other aspects of professional life, such as personal therapy and supervision.
`Rachel Darnley-Smith and Helen Patey have managed so well to tell their story of music therapy offering the framework of theory, training and professional practice, and the complimentary value of Analytical Music Therapy and Creative Music Therapy within improvisation. The authors devote a whole chapter to promoting a wider understanding of improvization, describing its value as a form of play, free association, with more or less structure depending on the form of intervention and the client's needs. There is really a valuable resource of meaningful and relevant examples from their own clinical work. These examples clearly validate and illustrate the seminal theoretical concept of the first great pioneer of music therapy in the United Kingdom, Juliette Alvin, who taught us that music is a creation of people, and therefore we can see people in their music' - Professor Tony Wigram
`I found this a useful book in terms of its clarity and carefully thought out structure. It is a rich source of information and of ideas which are extremely important for the potential music therapy trainee to think about; it also makes valuable reading for more experienced therapists, bringing our minds back to some central questions about the nature of our work…. Whatever stage you may be at in your life as a music therapist, it will refresh your mind and your practice' - Eleanor Richards, Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
This is a good resource for students doing project work on the topic, but too specific for general reading in a course on disability for media technology.
Very interesting case studies which illustrate the benefits of musical creativity and musical participation in health and social care settings
Book was a little more specialised than I first thought, but is a useful addition to our Creative Arts reading List.
I have used this to compliment units on therapeutic activities.
Giving clear instructions on the benefits of music therapy to individuals and instructions on how to plan and carry out music therapy with a wide range of individuals, This book can be used in professional practice as a reference to aid therapeutic processes.
This is a really good book for supporting learners on their continuing journey into practitioner status.
Good activities and case studies as supporting materials.
Sage College Publishing
