Approaching clinical experiences is both exciting and frightening for most music therapy students. Now comes a text that addresses those uncertainties and invites students into a sequential learning process. Beginning with an introductory chapter that sets the stage for understanding music therapy and continuing with chapters addressing the steps in the music therapy process, this book guides the student toward a deeper understanding of clinical work. From observation to assessment, and from planning to implementation and subsequent evaluation and documentation, the book provides three levels of involvement for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. Modes of clinical work are explored as chapters delve into the use of performing and re-creating, improvising, listening, and composing as music therapy techniques. Full of clinical examples, this book explores the uses of music therapy specifically with children with special needs, adults with developmental disabilities, adults with psychiatric disorders, older adults with age-related needs, and people in medical settings. More general considerations are explored for group and individual session work. Every chapter reviews literature in the field related to each discussion, offers suggested readings, and challenges students with assignments for each level of involvement. The final chapter urges students to consider self-reflection and self-assessment as a career-long commitment. This guide comes from the pens of three experienced music therapists, each with over 20 years in the field and with experience in supervising music therapy students from the perspectives of both faculty and clinicians. --- from the publisher
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