Approaches and Models of Music Therapy

The development of music therapy internationally has been characterized by the founding of multiple models of practice, as well as the development of approaches that practitioners apply in their work. Inclusion criteria for the eleven models and approaches presented in the Oxford Handbook of Music Therapy are that each is taught as a major part of music therapy training in at least one programme in the English-speaking world, and that the model or approach has a presence in the published literature with at least one monograph or edited book outlining foundational theory, practice principles, and techniques. Additional criteria included that a trainer or researcher in the model or approach was available to write the material, and that training in the model or approach is offered at entry level to the profession. Some of the models and approaches included such as Developmental Music Therapy, are founded on principles that are integrated into many music therapists' practice whereas others, such as Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy (Nordoff and Robbins 1977), require specialist qualifications in order to achieve recognition as an expert practitioner.