Music Therapy Handbook

Rich with case material, this groundbreaking volume provides a comprehensive overview of music therapy, from basic concepts to emerging clinical approaches. Experts review psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and developmental foundations and describe major techniques, including the Nordoff-Robbins model and the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. An expansive section on clinical applications examines music therapy with children and adults, as well as its recognized role in medical settings. Topics include autism spectrum disorder, school interventions, brain injury, and trauma. An authoritative resource for music therapists, the book's chapters also show how music can be used by other mental health and medical professionals. The companion website features audio downloads illustrative of the Nordoff-Robbins model.

Barbara L. Wheeler, PhD, MT-BC, is Professor Emerita at Montclair State University in New Jersey, where she taught from 1975 to 2000. She initiated the music therapy program at the University of Louisville in 2000, retiring in 2011. She presents and teaches in the United States and internationally, with current faculty appointments at the State University of New York/n-/New Paltz; Molloy College, Rockville Centre, New York; the University of Applied Sciences Wurzburg Schweinfurt, Department of Social Studies, Wurzburg, Germany; and Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music, Katowice, Poland. She has been an active clinician throughout her career and worked with a variety of clientele. Dr. Wheeler has edited and authored many books, chapters, and articles on the subject of music therapy. She is a past president of the American Music Therapy Association and was recently Interview Co-Editor for Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy.

"Covers some of the richest topics and issues of our profession, and does so with great depth and scope. The volume embraces research, assessment, clinical applications, history, ethics, and diversity. It paints a portrait of the full array of music therapy approaches while covering the age spectrum of children to adults. Nothing is lacking. This is a dynamic, instructive, inspiring tool for anyone seeking insights and wisdom from leading music therapists. It is a powerful resource that should be kept close at hand."--Deforia Lane, PhD, MT-BC, Director of Art and Music Therapy, Seidman Cancer Center/University Hospitals Case Medical Center "The most comprehensive work of its kind that I have seen. Synthesizing evidence-based approaches into a single volume helps to move music therapy beyond the untested and unproven and establish professional legitimacy and efficacy. Practitioners and educators get a clear view of the best therapeutic strategies for helping clients in the search for healing and wholeness."--Terry L. Singer, PhD, Dean, Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville "Wheeler's "Music Therapy Handbook" provides a comprehensive overview of approaches to music therapy practice, covering a wide range of models that have influenced the profession. Numerous case vignettes throughout bring the material to life, offering the reader a vicarious taste of the breadth of practice, settings, and populations with whom music therapists work. Music therapy professionals and students will appreciate the accessibly written perspectives on theory and practice. For those in multidisciplinary practice, it will serve as a reference to help to determine what music therapy might bring to their health, education, or medical program."--Wendy Magee, PhD, Music Therapy Program, Temple University "This welcome volume stands out because of its breadth of coverage and applicability. The choice of topics and their scholarly treatment will engage readers, whether they are novices to music therapy or very experienced. It w