Systematic review of communicating music therapy frameworks : a dialogue about adopting and utilizing theory

Title

Systematic review of communicating music therapy frameworks : a dialogue about adopting and utilizing theory

Creator

Cole, Melissa M.

Description

Cole, Melissa M.

Background: Ideally, music therapists are guided in their work by a framework and they communicate their way of doing music therapy with clarity through a framework. A framework is a theoretical structure found in literature that a therapist uses to make decisions regarding clients, music, and relationships. Underpinnings are the theories that are outside of music therapy that support the framework.

Objective: This systematic review appraised if and how music therapists refer to a framework when describing their work with autistic clients. Key concepts are additionally clarified, primarily: framework and underpinnings, secondarily: lens, integration, and eclecticism.

Methods: A literature search for “music therapy, autism” between 2021-June of 2023 gave 90 initial results. Inclusion criteria were music therapists directly working with autistic clients. Three sorting categories were defined as explicit (framework clearly named, defined, and examples in practice given), implicit (framework unnamed, but clues indicate likely framework) and ambiguous (framework unclear). The explicit and implicit categories met the final inclusion criterion to be studied for themes and examples of framework communication.

Results and Conclusions: In the past 2 years, in 26 articles qualifying for this review of music therapists working with autistic individuals, only 9 articles included reporting of their framework. Roughly 2/3 of publications describing clinical work in this review do not name a framework. The music therapy profession has emerging tendencies in regard to communicating theoretical frameworks for supporting practice. Recommendations for growth in this area are discussed.

Date Created

2023

Publisher

Alverno College

Extent

79 pages

Language

English

Format

PDF

Type

Text
Culminating Project

Subject

Music therapy
Communication
Autism
Framework
Theory

Rights

These materials may be used by individuals and libraries for personal use, research, teaching (including distribution to classes), or for any fair use as defined by U.S. Copyright Law.

Citation

Cole, Melissa M., “Systematic review of communicating music therapy frameworks : a dialogue about adopting and utilizing theory,” Alverno College Library Digital Commons, accessed April 28, 2024, https://alverno.omeka.net/items/show/906.