Resource Oriented Music Therapy In Mental Health Care

current trends in health care politics emphasize user involvement and positive aspects of health and quality of life this book about a resource oriented approach to music therapy in mental health care is taking this as a point of departure it offers a theoretical and empirical exploration of the idea that therapy is as much about stimulating clients strengths as it is about fixing problems or curing pathology the resource oriented approach presented relates to a broad interdisciplinary landscape of theory including empowerment philosophy positive psychology and current musicology the approach is contextual and relational thus more than simply implying that the therapist is supposed to nurture and develop the client s resources it involves getting into a mutual and equal collaboration where less weight is put on the therapist s techniques the relationships between therapist and client as well as between individuals and society are emphasized building upon values of democratic participation and equality the context for the explorations offered in this book is mental health care and in particular psychotherapeutic work in individual settings case studies from music therapy exemplify the approach and provide multiple perspectives on the therapeutic process through the voice of the clients and their songs the therapist and the researcher 2010 paperback 282 pages table of contents introduction part one frames and descriptions 1 music therapy and the politics of mental health care 2 paths toward a conceptualization of therapy 3 paths toward a conceptualization of music 4 toward a concept of resource oriented music therapy part two case studies 5 collaborations with maria music therapist s story 6 maria s experiences 7 reflections mastery and joy in the therapeutic process 8 collaborations with emma music therapist s story 9 emma s experiences 10 reflections negotiations of resources and problems part three working resource oriented 11 the client s craft 12 the therapist s