Themes for Therapy

This extraordinary book is the outgrowth of the work done at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University. Founded in 1988, the center, which is part of the Graduate Music Therapy Program at NYU, provides outpatient services for children and adults in the New York area, as well as serving as a venue for advanced training in music therapy. The music contained in the collection, all of it original, is offered for use by music therapists, music teachers and music specialists working in special education, and musically skilled activity therapists working with a range of special needs populations. Most of the materials are also eminently suitable for preschool children, and some can be used in the early elementary grades. Themes for Therapy has evolved from clinical work with clients of diverse developmental levels, needs and abilities. Each piece of music in this collection was either specially composed or improvised for individual or group therapy. Contents include greeting songs, songs to promote self awareness & socialization, songs to promote physical awareness & movement, easing transitions & encouraging play, goodbye songs, instrumental pieces for drum & cymbals, resonator bells/mellophone, and tambourine/small percussion & multiple instruments.

Michele Schunur Ritholz is a senior music therapist and supervisor at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University. Michelle has worked with children in the Latency Unit at Kings County Psychiatric Hospital, Brooklyn, New York and in special education settings for The Westchester Conservatory of Music Outreach program.

Dr. Clive Robbins is one of the originators of Creative Music Therapy, and the Founding Director of the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at New York University. He began his practice and research in music therapy with variously disabled children in teamwork with Dr.Paul Nordoff in 1959. Through his clinical work, writings and teaching with Paul Nordoff, and with his wife Dr. Carol Robbins from 1975 to 1996, Clive has become internationally known for his teaching of music therapy processes and his commitment to highter standards of creativity and clinical musicianship.