Show Notes:

Please refer back to Episode #1 and #6 for a basis of trauma-informed care and clinical strategies.

Main points of learning in today’s episode:

the interventions used in trauma-informed care depend greatly on

the age of the client

the type of trauma (past or present)

the duration and type of trauma

the type of therapy (individual/group/family)

stage of the trauma journey the client is on

others….

Music methods gathered from current research (article link):

songwriting

music listening

improvisation

drumming

instrument playing

music performance

singing

music and imagery

lyric analysis/discussion

music and movement

musical games

misc/other

The theoretical approach (ex. Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics) directly informs the music interventions being utilized.

For example: Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics

focus on stabilization and regulation

6Rs to inform clinical practice for stabilization/regulation as a goal:

Relational (safe)

Relevant (developmentally-matched)

Repetitive (patterned)

Rewarding (pleasurable)

Rhythmic (resonant with neural patterns)

Respectful (with the child, family and culture)

4 trauma-informed goals/purposes:

stabilization

entrainment

exploratory

performative

Interventions based on goal/purpose:

Stabilization: body-based interventions: crossing midline, deep breathing with coordinated movement, opportunities for impulse control, drumming, spinning, music and movement, fine motor tasks, deep pressures, body percussion, and attention tasks….

Entrainment: opportunities to entrain to the music and with others - Ex.: walking around the room in beat with peers and the therapist.

Exploratory: used when a client is regulated/calm and able to a access their higher order cognitive processes may benefit from songwriting, lyric analysis and discussion, art creation, deeper mindfulness moments/strategies, song learning and expression of emotions.

Performative: used for greater self awareness, self-regulation, building resilience and confidence - learning an instrument or song to share with others.

Note on explicit music - the use of explicit music may be important for relating and creating a safe environment for your clients - please listen to this podcast ( ) for a great discussion between two licensed music therapists.

Caution:

Potential harm. Music is a powerful tool and can be a trigger from traumatic events. Please do your education and know your scope of practice. Please be cautious when using music and continually be assessing and attuned to your client’s reactions.

Use your clinical judgment. We are offering ideas to consider and do not know the needs of the individual(s) you work with. Please utilize an evidence-based practice model (current research, clinician experiences and expertise, and client characteristics) to inform your clinical and musical decisions.

Resources:

Music, Rhythm and Trauma: a Critical Interpretive Synthesis of Research Literature by: Katrina Skewes McFerran, Hsin I. Cindy Lai, Wei-Han Chang, Daniela Acquaro, Tan Chyuan Chin, Helen Stokes, and Alexander Hew Dale Crooke (Front Psychol. 2020; 11: 324.)

Creative Therapy Umbrella Episode #76: Trauma, Regulation and Music Therapy with Molly Warren MM, LPMT, MT-BC

Music Therapy Podcast Collective

Scope of Music Therapy Practice - AMTA

Potential Harm in Music Therapy - AMTA Pro

Why is Trauma-informed Care Essential for Music Therapists?

Trauma-Informed Care - MusicWorx

Thank you for listening. 

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