Music therapy is recognised as being applicable to a wide range of
healthcare and social contexts. Since the first edition of Music
Therapy: An art beyond words, it has extended into areas of general
medicine, mainstream education and community practice. This new edition
revises the historical and theoretical perspectives and recognises the
growing evidence and research base in contemporary music therapy.
Leslie Bunt and Brynjulf Stige document the historical evolution of
music therapy and place the practice within seven current perspectives:
medical, behavioural, psychoanalytical, humanistic, transpersonal,
culture-centred and music-centred. No single perspective, individual or
group approach is privileged, although the focus on the use of sounds
and music within therapeutic relationships remains central. Four
chapters relate to areas of contemporary practice across different
stages of the lifespan: child health, adolescent health, adult health
and older adult health. All include case narratives and detailed
examples underpinned by selected theoretical and research perspectives.
The final two chapters of the book reflect on the evolution of the
profession as a community resource and the emergence of music therapy as
an academic discipline in its own right.
A concise introduction to the current practice of music therapy around
the world, Music Therapy: An art beyond words is an invaluable
resource for professionals in music therapy and music education, those
working in the psychological therapies, social work and other caring
professions, and students at all levels.
