Trauma-Informed Music Therapy

Trauma-Informed Music Therapy is a timely volume that combines theoretical perspectives on trauma-informed practice with real-life applications in music therapy practice. Board-certified music therapists are in a unique position to provide comfort, create a sense of safety, and empower people to find their voice during and after traumatic experiences. In this book, the theory behind trauma-informed practice (TIP) is explored and expanded through stories of clinical implementation, social justice practices, and music therapy theories. Spanning topics such as grief and loss, adverse childhood experiences and their intergenerational effects, domestic abuse, urban trauma, polyvagal theory, and psychological first aid, this book addresses music therapy as the emerging therapeutic treatment modality for adults, children, and teenagers alike. This book will be of interest to practicing music therapists and music therapy students who are learning how to bring music therapy to victims and survivors of trauma.

Laura E. Beer, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Music Therapy at Colorado State University and the Editor for Music Therapy Perspectives. She has extensive clinical experience as a music therapist, researcher, author, and educator. Her most recent clinical experience includes working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and with children who have multiple developmental challenges. Jacqueline C. Birnbaum, MSEd, is the administrative coordinator and senior clinician at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University. She is a musician and composer and has presented internationally on the use of Creative Music Therapy. Jacqueline has served as Chair of the Certification Board for Music Therapists and currently is on the editorial board of the journal Music Therapy Perspectives.

1. Introduction, Part I: Theories and Perspectives, 2. The Resilience Framework for Trauma-Informed Music Therapy, 3. Global Trends in Music Therapy for Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, 4. Cultural Humility in Music Therapy Practice, 5. Questioning the Promise of Safety in Trauma-Informed Music Therapy Practice, Part II: Children and Adolescents, 6. I Am Safe and I Am Strong: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience Through Trauma-Informed Music Therapy, 7. Changing the Narrative: Exploring how Music Therapy can Assist Adolescents Dealing with Race-Based Traumatic Stress, 8. Music Therapy with Children in the Aftermath of a Natural Disaster, 9. Clinical Songwriting for Children with Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease, Part III: Adults, 10. Music Therapy for Survivors of Sexual Violence and Intimate Partner Violence, 11. Group Work with Adults in Short-Term Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment and Recovery, 12. Trauma-Informed Music Psychotherapy in Radiation Oncology: Implementation of the Trauma, Resilience, Safety Model, 13. Finding One's Voice: Working Through Developmental Trauma with Vocal Psychotherapy, 14. Music Therapy in the Treatment of Complex Trauma in Adult Mental Health, 15. "I Hear You": The Potency of Play in Music Psychotherapy for Treating Trauma in Musicians, 16. Bent Pitch: Trauma, the LGBTQAI+ Community, and Music Psychotherapy, 17. Mechanisms of Change in Music Therapy when Treating Adults Coping with Trauma, 18. Conclusion