Trauma Informed Music Therapy PDF Download

Trauma can affect people of all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and religions. In children and adolescents, trauma may be a result of sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect from caregivers. Experiencing psychological trauma during childhood can have negative impacts on biopsychosocial development throughout the lifespan resulting in physical, emotional, and cognitive difficulties. In pediatric settings, some commonly used treatment approaches are the Medical Model, the Psychosocial Care Model, the Integrated Medicine model, and the Trauma-Informed Care model. As a form of integrated, psychosocial, and trauma-informed care, music therapy has been shown to increase quality of life, reduce stress, create feelings of interpersonal connection, encourage resilience, and alleviate symptoms related to traumatic stress. A vast amount of literature currently exists to explore how trauma effects the developing body and how music therapy can be used to address symptoms relating to trauma. However, research in the topic of treating trauma with music therapy in a pediatric setting has room for growth. The project writer offers an informed practice approach and application titled Integrative Trauma-Informed Care in Music Therapy for music therapists to use in pediatric settings. In this approach, there is a focus on continuity, communication, consideration, and connection within the therapeutic relationship and how it may benefit treatment. Using this approach in clinical practice addresses the humanity of patients and offers an emphasis of strength in the face of trauma.