Episode #12: Music and Trauma-Informed Care

Today we sit down to look at what music looks like through the lens of trauma-informed care. What does the research tell us? What are the goals addressed in trauma-informed care? What interventions are useful? Kristin takes a look at current research to inform our practice as we continue towards becoming trauma-sensitive and trauma-informed.

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


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Thank you for listening and we hope you have a wonderful week! See you next week!