What is truly distinctive about this book is that Oldfield introduces her doctoral research, in which she created the Music Therapy Diagnostic Assessment (MTDA) in comparison to one of the most internationally recognized standardized diagnostic tool.' - Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). 'I believe that the book will be useful for music therapy students, and novice music therapist working in child and family psychiatry and related fields.' - Nordic Journal of Music Therapy 'In her indomitable, accessible and straightforward style, Amelia Oldfield continues to champion the use of music therapy with families in her most recent publication. The book is in many ways a step-by-step music therapy manual, informing us of music therapy methods and innovations and provoking new thoughtfulness for work within the child mental health setting.' - Journal of Family Therapy 'This book could be an invaluable resource for readers who are looking for evidence that music therapy can have a very positive effect on certain disorders and family dynamics. I could imagine it would bring great hope for those whose children find communication very difficult, or where families are struggling to relate emotionally. The book [also] has a lot of clinical research data, which would be extremely useful for students or clinicians needing to validate this kind of work.' - ACCord Magazine 'This practical book outlines and explains the rationale for using music therapy in child and family psychiatry. Amelia Oldfield reflects on current research methodology and describes characteristics of her own approach to therapy sessions, including how to start and end the session, how to motivate children and establish a positive musical dialogue with them, and how to include parents in the session. She also uses video analysis techniques to assess and advance the role of the therapist. Individual chapters focus on the results of the author's research investigations with specific groups such as mothers and young children, groups of adults with profound difficulties, children with autistic spectrum disorder or severe physical and mental difficulties, as well as children without clear diagnosis. Case studies and vignettes supplement these examples. The author also considers the whole process from the initial referral for therapy and using psychiatric music therapy for diagnostic assessment to how to end treatment. This book is accessible to music therapists, psychiatrists, nurses and occupational therapists working with children and families, as well as music therapy trainers, their students and academics interested in music therapy.' - British Society for Music Therapy 'Those who are specifically interested in music therapy as applied to children and families will find no better mentor than Oldfield.' - Mental Health Care Practice 'Well, this book was a pleasant surprise! I found it a remarkably uplifting read. Amelia Oldfield describes in detail how she has managed to interact through music with children (and adults) with a wide range of significant difficulties, intellectual, emotional and physical. Her music therapy is intended to help with diagnosis but she also involved parents and carers in her sessions in a way which helps them to come to terms with and deal more comfortably with their charges.' - Adoption.net This practical book outlines and explains the rationale for using music therapy in child and family psychiatry. Amelia Oldfield reflects on current research methodology and describes characteristics of her own approach to therapy sessions, including how to start and end the session, how to motivate children and establish a positive musical dialogue with them, and how to include parents in the session. She also uses video analysis techniques to assess and advance the role of the therapist. Individual chapters focus on the results of the author's research investigations with specific groups such as mothers and young children, groups of adults with profound difficulties, children with autistic spectrum disorder or severe physical and mental difficulties, as well as children without clear diagnosis. Case studies and vignettes supplement these examples. The author also considers the whole process from the initial referral for therapy and using psychiatric music therapy for diagnostic assessment to how to end treatment. This book is accessible to music therapists, psychiatrists, nurses and occupational therapists working with children and families, as well as music therapy trainers, their students and academics interested in music therapy.

This comprehensive book describes well-defined models of music therapy for working with families in different clinical areas, ranging from families with special needs children or dying family members through to families in psychiatric or paediatric hospital settings. International contributors explain the theoretical background and practice of their specific approach, including an overview of research and illustrative case examples. Particular emphasis is placed on connecting theory and clinical practice and on discussing the challenges and relevance of each model. This practical and theoretically anchored book will prove valuable for music therapists, students and researchers in the fast developing field of music therapy with families.

In the past, music therapy work with children typically took place in special schools without the family being present. More recently, music therapy has become a widespread practice, and this book reflects the variety of settings within which music therapists are now working with children together with their families. The contributors are music therapists with experience of working with children and their families in a range of different environments, such as schools, hospices, psychiatric units, child development centres and in the community. They describe their approaches to family work with client groups including children with autism, learning disabled toddlers, adopted children and looked after teenagers. Their experiences demonstrate that involving the family in a child's music therapy can be beneficial for everyone, and that it is possible to address relationship issues within the family as part of the treatment. This book will provide useful insight into the growing area of music therapy with children and their families, and will be valuable for music therapy professionals and students, as well as other medical and teaching professionals who work with families.

Describing the general benefits of her approach to music therapy sessions, Amelia Oldfield also details its applications for specific clinical groups including children with autistic spectrum disorders, relationship difficulties or physical disabilities.

This one-stop practical book guides you to run a wide range of music therapy groups with pre-school and primary aged children with additional needs. Gain understanding on how to adapt and improvise to ensure that the group meets the individual child's needs, from simple tweaks - such as selecting easier to use instruments and adjusting table heights - to improvising on a single line instrument while dancing around the room. This book includes specific guidance on how to structure sessions to cater for children with neurodivergent needs, physical and learning disabilities, and those receiving psychiatric support, with tailored sessions for each client group. 60 ideas of group activities, complete with sheet music and helpful illustrations to bring the text to life, make this book your ideal practice companion.

Arts Therapies in the Treatment of Depression is a comprehensive compilation of expert knowledge on arts therapies’ potential in successfully addressing depression. The book identifies ways of addressing the condition in therapy sessions, shares experience of tools and approaches which seem to work best and guides towards a conscious and confident evidence-based practice. Including contributions from international experts in the field of arts therapies, the book presents some of the most recent, high-profile and methodologically diverse research, whether in the form of clinical trials, surveys or case studies. The three sections of this volume correspond to particular life stages and explore major topics in arts therapies practice and the nature of depression in children, adults and in later life. Individual chapters within the three sections represent all four arts therapies disciplines. The book hopes to improve existing arts therapies practice and research, by encouraging researchers to use creativity in designing meaningful research projects and empowering practitioners to use evidence creatively for the benefit of their clients and the discipline. Arts Therapies in the Treatment of Depression is an essential resource for arts therapies researchers, practitioners and arts therapists in training. It should also be of interest to other health researchers and health professionals, particularly those who work with clients experiencing depression and in multidisciplinary teams.

Music therapy is growing internationally to be one of the leading evidence-based psychosocial allied health professions to meet needs across the lifespan.The Oxford Handbook of Music Therapy is the most comprehensive text on this topic in its history. It presents exhaustive coverage of the topic from international leaders in the field.

The use of music therapy is long established with people with Autistic Spectrum Conditions. The combination of using music and relationship work in person-centred approaches supports the three main areas of difficulty people with autism often experience; social interaction, communication and imagination. Current research supports the positive psychological benefits of music therapy when people with autism spectrum conditions engage with music therapy. This book celebrates the richness of music therapy approaches and brings together the voices of practitioners in the UK. With a strong focus on practice-based evidence it showcases clinicians, researchers and educators working in a variety of settings across the lifespan.

In this insightful book, Oldfield and Carr draw together persuasive arguments for combining aspects of music therapy and dramatherapy, whilst retaining their unique facets. Building on the many links between music and drama and the compatibility between the two disciplines, the authors explore how artistic aspects of each therapy can be drawn on to create fresh ways of working. This approach enriches the practice of professionals working to support people with special needs, people recovering from trauma and social deprivation and a wide range of other service users. Despite the significant overlap in music therapy and dramatherapy techniques, this is the first book to directly explore the vast potential of elements of the two disciplines being brought together. Covering a range of different perspectives and practice contexts, this book demonstrates just how much the professions can offer each other both from a clinical perspective and from the point of view of training therapists.

Music Therapy and Parent Infant Bonding is the first title in the field of music therapy to explore the contribution that music therapy can make in the very early years, for instance in situations regarding adopted children, or in ameliorating the effects of maternal depression on the parent-infant relationship.