Using Music in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy

"Beer and Birnbaum provide a new understanding of how music can be integrated into psychotherapy. Drawing on theory, scientific literature, and clinical observations, the authors describe the profound and convincing impact of music on clinical trajectories. The book shows how music offers an opportunity for children and adolescents to gain awareness of and express intense emotions in a safe therapeutic context. This well-organized volume presents a strong rationale for bridging music therapy and psychotherapy."--Stephen W. Porges, PhD, Distinguished University Scientist, Kinsey Institute, Indiana University

"This much-needed resource offers indispensable information that will reduce the guesswork that comes along with including music in therapy. Beer and Birnbaum give the reader practical advice regarding room setup, instrument choices, and sources for recordings, and illustrate simple yet powerful ways that music can facilitate the therapeutic process. Recommendations for practice at the end of each chapter provide appropriate suggestions that can be adjusted to accommodate the clinician’s knowledge and experience as a music-maker."--Carol Ann Blank, PhD, LCAT, LPC, MT-BC, Manager of Research and Special Needs Services, Music Together

"This book offers a clear theoretical rationale, clinical guidelines, and practice applications for incorporating music into child and adolescent psychotherapy. Using music can be tremendously helpful for less verbal clients and refreshing for those who are more communicative. The book helps mental health providers think outside the box of our usual talk therapy strategies in order to engage clients in new and creative ways. A 'must' for practitioners and students!"--Guy S. Diamond, PhD, Director, Center for Family Intervention Science, Drexel University

"Music has the power to engage the mind and body in ways that are immediate and intrinsically life enhancing. Well-informed summaries of the academic literature, engaging clinical vignettes, and many straightforward recommendations for practice will benefit therapists who want to bring music into their work with children."--Stephen Malloch, PhD, Honorary Fellow, Westmead Psychotherapy Program, University of Sydney, Australia; Adjunct Fellow, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour, and Development, Western Sydney University -