Context and relationships: Using the systemic approach with music therapy in work with children, adolescents and their families

Abstract

This article considers the theoretical and practical use of the systemic approach in music therapy. An overview of the basic elements of the systemic approach is given. The potential benefits the approach can bring to music therapy practice are outlined with reference to the author’s work with young people with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and their families. The potential for the systemic approach to contribute to the ongoing development of music therapy theory and practice is also explored, with particular reference to community music therapy. Two case studies are used to illustrate the use of the approach in practice.

Humour in music therapy: A narrative literature review

“…The assumption that humour, or a sense of humour as a personal characteristic, was not only a sign of wellbeing but also enabled healthy social interactions was widespread (Bright, 2010;Christenbury, 2017;Cobbett, 2016;Dennis & Rickson, 2014;Dwyer, 2007;Finch et al, 2016;Forsblom & Ala-Ruona, 2012;Frank, 2005;Hitchen et al, 2010;Melhuish, 2013;Mitchell, 2017;Pavlicevic, 2001;Potvin et al, 2018;Ridder & McDermott, 2014;Roberts, 2006;Rowland & Read, 2011). Lichtensztejn et al (2014) went as far as to document a client's responses to humour in music therapy to aid formal assessments of cognitive capacity and Geretsegger et al (2015) also identified humour as being important in ascertaining the level of participation when working with a child in music therapy.…”

“…There were several citations of humour as a positive coping method, or inner resource that clients used in dealing with difficult emotional experiences (Cobbett, 2016;Gooding et al, 2015;Hogan, 1999;McNab, 2010;Potvin, 2015;Steele, 2005;Yinger, 2016). Hitchen at al.…”

The first ‘themed’ British journal of music therapy: An introduction to music therapy with families

“…These three textbooks follow two books about music therapy work at a child development centre and work in child and family psychiatry (Oldfield, 2006a, 2006b) which both contain several chapters and numerous case studies about working with families. In addition, there have been many articles on the subject of music therapy with families in journals (Blauth, in press; Cobbett, 2016; Jacobsen et al, 2014; Oldfield et al, 2012; Thompson, 2012a). Mark Ettenberger’s article in this edition shows that the literature in the specialist area of working with premature babies and their families is now also widespread and extensive.…”

An exploration of an integrative approach to working with a child with conduct difficulties in music therapy

“…Short (2014) also describes the use of a culturally appropriate form of music therapy that incorporates rap in her account of work with young offenders. Cobbett’s (2016) more recent paper draws from his training as a family and systemic psychotherapist and considers the value of this approach to music therapy practice ‘when facing some of the challenges inherent in contemporary multicultural work in settings where contextual factors like poverty and inequality are relevant’ (p. 72).…”