This practical book describes the specific use of receptive (listening) methods and techniques in music therapy clinical practice and research, including relaxation with music for children and adults, the use of visualisation and imagery, music and collage, song-lyric discussion, vibroacoustic applications, music and movement techniques, and other forms of aesthetic listening to music. The authors explain these receptive methods of intervention using a format that enables practitioners to apply them in practice and make informed choices about music suitable for each of the different techniques. Protocols are described step-by-step, with reference to the necessary environment, conditions, skills and appropriate musical material. Receptive Methods in Music Therapy will prove indispensable to music therapy students, practitioners, educators and researchers

The fascinating and exciting evidence in this book has tremendous appeal. For students of Music Therapy, and others training in medical and paramedical disciplines, it can be considered an essential text for study, and required reading to gain an overview of the field.
This book provides a landmark in the literature of Music Therapy. For the scientist, chapters on the biological and medical effects of music give a wealth of research evidence on the value of music in therapy and music in medicine. For readers from paramedical, educational and other clinical fields, there are eighteen chapters detailing music therapy techniques and approaches in psychiatry, pediatrics, learning difficulties, elderly and sensory handicap. Diagnosis and assessment are covered in considerable detail and the general effect of music is reviewed in many of the contributions.
For all qualified music therapists and students.

Improvisation plays a key role in the toolbox of the music therapist. Tony Wigram's practical and comprehensive guide and online content will prove indispensable to students, teachers, therapists and musicians as a book of musical techniques and therapeutic methods. Beginning with an overview of developing, teaching and analysing the skills of improvisation, Wigram describes techniques ranging from warming up to mirroring, rhythmic grounding, containing and holding. With specific sections on piano improvisation, chordal and 2-, 3- and 4- note improvisation are covered, in addition to advanced skills such as frameworking and transitions. Wigram also includes techniques for thematic improvisation, group improvisation and outlines methods for analysing and reporting improvisational processes. Notated examples allow readers to try out techniques and progress as they read, with audio examples on the accompanying online content adding another dimension to the structure and guidance provided for all levels of music student and therapist.

This comprehensive and groundbreaking book describes the effective use of songwriting in music therapy with a variety of client populations, from children with cancer and adolescents in secondary school to people with traumatic brain injury and mental health problems. The authors explain the specific considerations to bear in mind when working with particular client groups to achieve the best clinical outcomes. All the contributors are experienced music therapy clinicians and researchers. They provide many case examples from clinical practice to illustrate the therapeutic methods being used, together with notated examples of songs produced in therapy. Particular emphasis is placed on how lyrics and music are created, including the theoretical approaches underpinning this process. This practical book will prove indispensable to students, clinical therapists, music therapists, educators, teachers and musicians.

Clinical Applications of Music Therapy in Psychiatry provides valuable insight into the work of professional music therapists in their clinical practice. The contributors, who are all internationally-renowned music therapists, discuss work with a diverse range of clients, including those suffering from Alzheimer's, anorexia nervosa, schizophrenia, psychosis, personality disorder, anxiety and psychosomatic disorder. Their chapters develop psychotherapeutic theory alongside music therapy practice, and are intended to be read by the psychiatric professions as well as music therapists, reflecting the medical establishment's growing receptivity to music therapy.

Research and clinical work are often perceived as opposites in the field of music therapy. This book shows, for the first time, how these two areas of work can creatively complement one another, proving beneficial to both disciplines. Each chapter is written by a leading researcher and practitioner in the field, and the book covers a wide spectrum of approaches within different settings. Beginning with methodological and musicological approaches to case studies, the book then moves on to more specific topics such as the use of case studies in an interactive play setting and in music therapy with the elderly. Later chapters explore theoretical aspects, looking at a worked example of music and progressive change during therapy, and how case study designs can be used in practice. A must for all professionals working and studying within the music therapy area, this is also an informative and useful book for health researchers.

In the context of music therapy, microanalysis is the detailed analysis of that short period of time during a music therapy session during which some kind of significant change takes place. These moments are crucial to the therapeutic process, and there is increasing interest amongst music therapists in understanding how they come about and whether there are ways of initiating them. The contributors to this groundbreaking book look at methods of micro process analyses used in a variety of music therapy contexts, both clinical and research-based. They outline their methods, which include using video and audio materials, interviewing, and monitoring the client's heart rate, and also give examples of the practical application of microanalysis from their clinical experience, including work with clients who have psychiatric illness, autism and other conditions. Microanalyses in Music Therapy provides a wealth of important theoretical and practical information for music therapy clinicians, educators and students.