Improvisational Methods of Music Therapy is the second in a series of textbooks addressing each of the four music therapy methods employed in a variety of clinical contexts. Students and professionals alike will gain foundational knowledge about Clinical Music Improvisation (CMI) and its many variations as pertinent to individual, dyadic, and group improvisation. This book is specifically intended as a general roadmap for the design and implementation of therapeutically relevant, effective, and individualized improvisation experiences applicable to a wide range of clinical profiles and interpersonal and cultural contexts. As such, Improvisational Methods of Music Therapy addresses prerequisites, risks, contraindications, inherent affordances, and challenges related to CMI, with overarching considerations and procedural steps for Instrumental, Vocal, and Body Improvisation. Attention is given to the use of CMI toward both client achievement of predetermined and measurable therapeutic objectives (i.e., outcome-oriented practice) and client identification and exploration of needs as they manifest in the musicing process (i.e., experience-oriented practice). Hypothetical case illustrations and summaries of actual clinical cases highlight particular CMI variations and procedures. CONTENTS: PREFACE INTRODUCTION: Methods-Based Training and Clinical Practice Population-Based Approach Methods-Based Approach UNIT ONE: LAYING THE FOUNDATION CHAPTER ONE: Overview of Clinical Music Improvisation Clinical Music Improvisation Defined Prerequisites for the Client’s Involvement Risks and Contraindications Affordances and Challenges Ethical Considerations Cultural Considerations CHAPTER TWO: General Considerations in Selection, Design, and Implementation CHAPTER THREE: Listening Listening in CMI Contexts Improvisation Assessment Profiles (IAPs) The Profiles Interpretation CHAPTER FOUR: Relationships CHAPTER FIVE: Outcome Orientation to Clinical Practice—Basic Procedures What Is the Essence of an Outcome Orientation? When Is an Outcome Orientation to CMI Indicated? How Might I Design Outcome-Oriented CMI Encounters? What Does Implementation Entail? CHAPTER SIX: Experience Orientation to Clinical Practice—Basic Procedures What is the Essence of an Experience Orientation? When Is an Experience Orientation to CMI Indicated? How Might I Design Experience-Oriented CMI Encounters? What Does Implementation Entail? CHAPTER SEVEN: Ecological Orientation to Clinical Practice CHAPTER EIGHT: Roles and Responsibilities Outcome Orientation Client Roles and Responsibilities Experience Orientation Client Roles and Responsibilities UNIT TWO: METHOD-VARIATIONS (SOUND MEDIA) CHAPTER NINE: Instrumental Improvisation Sound Media Prerequisites for Instrumental Improvisation Risks and Contraindications of Instrumental Improvisation Affordances and Challenges of Instrumental Improvisation Nonreferential Instrumental Improvisation Referential Instrumental Improvisation Outcome and Experience Orientations CHAPTER TEN: Vocal Improvisation Prerequisites for Vocal Improvisation Risks and Contraindications of Vocal Improvisation Affordances and Challenges of Vocal Improvisation Nonreferential Vocal Improvisation Referential Vocal Improvisation Outcome and Experience Orientations CHAPTER ELEVEN: Body Improvisation Sound Media Prerequisites for Body Improvisation Risks and Contraindications of Body Improvisation Affordances and Challenges of Body Improvisation Nonreferential Body Improvisation Referential Body Improvisation Outcome and Experience Orientations UNIT THREE: INTERPERSONAL CONTEXTS CHAPTER TWELVE: Solo Improvisation Overview Prerequisites for Solo Improvisation Risks and Contraindications of Solo Improvisation Improvisational Methods of Music Therapy Affordances and Challenges of Solo Improvisation Procedural Considerations CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Solo Improvisation—Case Studies Outcome Orientation Experience Orientation Additional Resources CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Dyadic Improvisation Overview Prerequisites for Dyadic Improvisation Risks and Contraindications of Dyadic Improvisation Affordances and Challenges of Dyadic Improvisation Procedural Considerations CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Dyadic Improvisation—Case Studies Overview Outcome Orientation Experience Orientation Additional Resources CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Group Improvisation Overview Prerequisites for Group Improvisation Risks and Contraindications of Group Improvisation Affordances and Challenges of Group Improvisation Therapist’s Roles in Group Improvisation Procedural Considerations CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Group Improvisation—Case Studies Outcome Orientation Experience Orientation Additional Case Additional Resources APPENDIX A: CMI Design Worksheet APPENDIX B: Improvisation Assessment Profiles (IAPs) APPENDIX C: E-A-R APPENDIX D: Yalom’s Therapeutic Factors Index | 
