"A Graphic Guide to Music Therapy" (Bill Matney, Mandy Griffin, Becca Kurtz, and Amy Huxtable)

TITLE: A Graphic Guide to Music Therapy
AUTHOR: Bill Matney, Mandy Griffin, Becca Kurtz, and Amy Huxtable
PUBLISHER: Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2024, (224 pages).

What has music got to do with our health? Why is music included in therapeutic treatments? What is music therapy? In this graphic guide aimed at children, readers learn about the history, various music therapy methods, qualities of music, the treatment process, the therapeutic experience, theories, approaches, and how it can be adapted for general and medical use. Written by a team of four that consists of a Professor of Music Therapy, two Music Therapist practitioners, and an Art Therapist, we get a graphic guide that tells us the basics of music therapy approaches, theories, applications, and how they can be useful tools to improve our quality of life. We learn that music therapy can be used for general health and specialized situations. The authors define music therapy (MT) as the "intentional use" of music to build "shared experiences" that aid our health in  our "physiological, cognitive, communicative, social, emotional, and spiritual domains." They cover various professional definitions and the qualification needs from different countries such as Australia, the UK, and the US, etc. They also clear up some misunderstandings of music therapy. For example, some might think all music therapists are musicians. While therapists know music, musicians tend to focus on performance while therapists use music to facilitate healing. The historical background is quite interesting as it shows us the universal appeal of music through the ages.

We learn about the several different beneficial applications of Music Therapy. It enables us to tell our stories via our unique interpretations. They also promote social interaction. Other applications range from physical stimulation to spiritual contemplation. The authors list four methods of MT: Composing music, Recreating existing music, Improvisation, and Listening. There are technical aspects of MT as well which the authors describe clearly and graphically. 

This is a clearly written primer for the general reader to understand what MT is all about. We have heard a lot about the need for better mental health management. Doctors can diagnose and prescribe medication. Nutritionists help recommend the most optimum diet for health. Sports and general exercises facilitate our physical fitness. For holistic health, we need something for mental health. Music therapy occupies a specialized slot in this increasingly critical area. As a primer, this book checks out many important boxes. I have heard about music used therapeutically in counseling, spiritual guidance, and various calming activities. Apart from the professionals, not many understand the greater significance of MT. This book can raise the awareness of using music for the greater good.

Bill  Matney is an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Kansas. He is the author of Tataku: The Use of Percussion in Music Therapy and co-author of Roots and Branches: Songs of Tradition and Culture. He also presents consistently at regional and national conferences of the American Music Therapy Association.

Becca Kurtz MT-BC works as a Music Therapist in acute inpatient pediatric services in The University of Kansas Health Systems. She is studying for a Master's in Healthcare Administration.  

Mandy Griffin MME MT-BC works as the Expressive Therapies Manager and music therapist at a community mental health center in Topeka KS. 

Amy E. Huxtable earned their Master of Science in Art Therapy Counseling from Emporia State University in 2019. They work as an art therapist at The University of Kansas Health System: Marillac Campus.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.