Music Therapy: An Introduction to the Profession

Music Therapy: An Introduction to the Profession is a textbook designed to help future music therapists learn about the many facets of a career in music therapy. The text is organized into two parts, providing a comprehensive overview of music therapy practice. Part one describes features of the profession, including the history of music therapy, educational requirements for professionals, current issues in music therapy practice, music in the brain, and the use of music in music therapy. Part two explores the use of music therapy with different clinical populations encountered in music therapy practice, including information about populations, the music therapy treatment process, and common music therapy interventions. Internationally-renowned authors share decades of work and research experiences, including clinical vignettes that illustrate the work of a music therapist. Additionally, the book has a companion website with a wealth of supplementary material including links, podcasts, documents, and videos. Although written as an introduction to the profession, this book is appropriate for use by music therapy clinicians and other helping professionals interested in learning more about the use of music with clinical populations.

Andrew J. Knight is associate professor of music therapy at Colorado State University, President of the Midwestern Region of the American Music Therapy Association (2017-2019), Journal of Music Therapy Associate Editor of Book Reviews, former Council Coordinator on the AMTA Board of Directors, and a recipient of the AMTA Service Award. Dr. Knight's research and presentations center on chemical dependency in adults, early childhood music therapy, and uses of technology in music therapy. A. Blythe LaGasse is coordinator and associate professor of music therapy at Colorado State University and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Music Therapy (2019-2022). She is a former member of the AMTA Board of Directors, a two-time recipient of the Arthur Flagler Fultz Research Award, co-recipient of a GRAMMY Foundation award, and a recipient of the AMTA Research Award. Dr. LaGasse's research and clinical practice focus on children on the autism spectrum. Alicia Ann Clair is professor emeritus at University of Kansas Lawrence, School of Music with a long history of clinical research, teaching, and service to the music therapy profession and community. Dr. Clair is a Past President of the National Association for Music Therapy; a member of the American Music Therapy Association Board of Directors (2018-2019), having served as Treasurer for many years; and author of many publications, including Therapeutic Uses of Music with Older Adults.