Content area
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which articles in four music therapy journals with more than 30 volumes published discussed the use of trauma- focused music therapy with trauma survivors. A content analysis of 16 articles was completed. Topics explored were (a) music therapy interventions used, (b) the number of clients in each group, (c) the types of trauma clients had experienced, and (d) which articles defined trauma and how. Of the 16 articles published, 8 were case studies or anecdotal case reports. Scholars most frequently published about trauma experienced in childhood (n=9), and that a combination of multiple music therapy interventions was most often used with clients, improvisation being the most common intervention cited. Further research is needed on trauma- focused music therapy interventions as there is limited research on this topic.
