Trauma-Informed Music Therapy Theory and Practice

185 Pages·2022·3.384 MB·English

by  Laura E. Beer, Jacqueline C. Birnbaum

“Trauma can be caused by various origins, not only by natural disasters
but also violence, social oppression, and so on. This book covers such a
wide range of populations who are affected by various origins of trauma,
as well as overarching trauma theories. As someone who experienced the
Great East Japan earthquake and nuclear disaster in 2011, I know how
important and effective the trauma work can be. This book will be a
valuable resource for students and professionals who wish to work with
such populations. I highly recommend this book.”
Yuji Igari, M. S., Associate Professor of Music Therapy,
Nagoya College of Music, Japan
“This book includes chapters by a stellar group of international
contributors, many of whom are recognized as authorities in their
areas of expertise. The topics covered are highly relevant in the
contemporary world, including natural disaster trauma, cultural issues
including race and gender/sexual preference identity, and sexual and
intimate partner violence, in addition to the more traditional focuses of
psychiatry and oncology. Contemporary approaches are used to
develop broad-based theory that is relevant across specific clinical areas
and music therapy treatment models. This book is an essential resource
for music therapists working within psychotherapy contexts.”
Kenneth Aigen, Director of Music Therapy,
New York University, USA
“This book offers an essential introduction to principles of trauma-
informed practice in music therapy. The editors bring together a
collection of voices that demonstrate the potential for music to assist in
the healing process in the aftermath of difficult events that shape our
lives. It will be an incredibly valuable resource to both students and
experienced practitioners across the creative arts therapies.”
Prof. Nisha Sajnani, Director, Program in Drama Therapy,
New York University, USA
“Trauma can affect people in many ways. This book discusses trauma-
informed practice (TIP), laying a theoretical framework and drawing
together some of the ways of working with trauma. The authors come
from a variety of backgrounds and clinical settings, thus presenting
various perspectives on this work. An awareness of the power dynamics
that may intersect with experiences of trauma runs through a number
of the chapters. I expect that music therapists and others will be
stimulated by the contents and excited to read about new approaches to
trauma-informed practice in music therapy.”
Barbara L. Wheeler, PhD, MT-BC, Professor Emeritus,
Montclair State University, USA

Trauma-Informed Music
Therapy
Trauma-Informed Music Therapy is a timely volume that combines theoretical
perspectives on trauma-informed practice with real-life applications in
music therapy practice.
Board-certified music therapists are in a unique position to provide
comfort, create a sense of safety, and empower people to find their voice
during and after traumatic experiences. In this book, the theory behind
trauma-informed practice (TIP) is explored and expanded through stories
of clinical implementation, social justice practices, and music therapy
theories. Spanning topics such as grief and loss, adverse childhood
experiences and their intergenerational effects, domestic abuse, urban
trauma, polyvagal theory, and psychological first aid, this book addresses
music therapy as the emerging therapeutic treatment modality for adults,
children, and teenagers alike.
This book will be of interest to practicing music therapists and music
therapy students who are learning how to bring music therapy to victims
and survivors of trauma.
Laura E. Beer, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Music Therapy at
Colorado State University and the Editor for Music Therapy Perspectives. She
has extensive clinical experience as a music therapist, researcher, author,
and educator. Her most recent clinical experience includes working in the
neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and with children who have multiple
developmental challenges.
Jacqueline C. Birnbaum, MSEd, MA, is the administrative coordinator
and senior clinician at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy at
New York University. She is a musician and educator and has presented
internationally on the use of Creative Music Therapy. Jacqueline has served
as Chair of the Certification Board for Music Therapists and currently is on
the editorial board of the journal Music Therapy Perspectives.

Trauma-Informed
Music Therapy
Theory and Practice
Edited by Laura E. Beer and
Jacqueline C. Birnbaum
Cover image: ‘Attunement’, November 2021, Mary Andrus DAT,
LCAT, LPC, ATCS
First published 2023
by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158
and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 selection and editorial matter, Laura E. Beer and Jacqueline C.
Birnbaum; individual chapters, the contributors
The right of Laura E. Beer and Jacqueline C. Birnbaum to be identified
as the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors for their
individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and
78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and
recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without
permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
Names: Beer, Laura E., editor. | Birnbaum, Jacqueline C., editor.
Title: Trauma-informed music therapy: theory and practice / edited by
Laura E. Beer and Jacqueline C. Birnbaum.
Description: [1.] | New York: Routledge, 2023.
Identifiers: LCCN 2022009407 (print) | LCCN 2022009408 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781032061269 (paperback) | ISBN 9781032061276 (hardback)
| ISBN 9781003200833 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Music therapy. | Psychic trauma--Patients--
Rehabilitation. | Psychic trauma--Treatment. | Resilience (Personality
trait)
Classification: LCC ML3920.T73 2023 (print) | LCC ML3920 (ebook)
| DDC 615.8/5154--dc23/eng/20220317
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022009407
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022009408
ISBN: 978-1-032-06127-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-06126-9 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-20083-3 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003200833
Typeset in Bembo
by MPS Limited, Dehradun
Contents
Editor Biographies x
Author Biographies xi
Foreword Author Biography xv
Artist Biography xvi
Acknowledgments xvii
Foreword xviii
Introduction 1
LAURA E. BEER AND JACQUELINE C. BIRNBAUM
PART I
Theories and Perspectives 7
1 The Resilience Framework for Trauma-Informed Music
Therapy 9
JENNIFER SOKIRA, JOY ALLEN, AND HEATHER WAGNER
2 Global Trends in Music Therapy for Disaster
Preparedness, Response, and Recovery 19
BARBARA A. ELSE AND MIREYA GONZÁLEZ
3 Cultural Humility in Music Therapy Practice 28
JASMINE EDWARDS
4 Questioning the Promise of Safety in Trauma-Informed
Music Therapy Practice 37
ELLY SCRINE AND ASAMI KOIKE
viii Contents
PART II
Children and Adolescents 45
5 I Am Safe and I Am Strong: Understanding Adverse
Childhood Experiences and Building Resilience through
Trauma-Informed Music Therapy 47
OLIVIA SWEDBERG YINGER
6 Changing the Narrative: Exploring How Music Therapy
Can Assist Adolescents Dealing with Race-Based
Traumatic Stress 56
STEPHANIE HOLLY
7 Music Therapy with Children in the Aftermath of a
Natural Disaster 64
CINDYBET PÉREZ-MARTÍNEZ
8 Trauma-Informed Practice: Clinical Songwriting in
Pediatric Cancer and Sickle Cell Disease 74
TRACIE SANDHEINRICH AND JAIME KENNINGTON
PART III
Adults 85
9 Music Therapy for Survivors of Sexual Violence and
Intimate Partner Violence 87
RACHEL EBELING AND SARAH MICHAELIS
10 Group Work with Adults in Short-Term Inpatient
Psychiatric Treatment and Recovery 96
NADINE CADESKY
11 Trauma-Informed Music Psychotherapy in Radiation
Oncology: Implementation of the Trauma, Resilience,
Safety Model 104
ANDREW ROSSETTI
12 Finding One’s Voice: Working through Developmental
Trauma with Vocal Psychotherapy 113
JENNY HOI YAN FU
13 Music Therapy in the Treatment of Complex Trauma in
Adult Mental Health 122
GILLIAN STEPHENS LANGDON
Contents ix
14 “I Hear You”: The Potency of Play in Music
Psychotherapy for Treating Trauma in Musicians 131
JOANNE LOEWY
15 Bent Pitch: Trauma, the LGBTQAI+ Community, and
Music Psychotherapy 142
BRIAN HARRIS
16 Mechanisms of Change in Music Therapy When
Treating Adults Coping with Trauma 150
MOSHE BENSIMON
Conclusion 158
LAURA E. BEER AND JACQUELINE C. BIRNBAUM
Index 159