Rick Soshensky presents a groundbreaking introduction to music's power to heal and transform, weaving collections of uplifting case studies from music therapy practices with ideas from spiritual traditions, philosophies, psychological theorists, and music therapy theorists and researchers. Going beyond just theoretical and clinical information, The Music Therapy Studio: How Music Heals and Transforms Lives centers the stories and experiences of people with disabilities-marginalized people for whom the world allows little time or place but whose extraordinary musical journeys teach us about the unseen depths and indomitably of the human spirit. In conversational tone, Soshensky introduces the concept of the music therapy studio and investigates core concepts in music-centered approaches to music therapy: the experience of music as a creative art with clients has intrinsic value that supersedes diagnostic labeling and behavioral goal-setting. Through the music therapy studio, Soshensky finds hidden potential for connection and produces touching moments of music and meaning through the healing process. The result is unique and inspiring text that leads us towards a deeper understanding and appreciation of music therapy and music's spiritual benefits.
Rick Soshensky, MA, LCAT, MT-BC, NRMT, is a nationally known music therapist. He has published numerous journal articles and textbook chapters and has lectured nationally and internationally. He operates Hudson Valley Creative Arts Therapy Studio (www.HVCATS.org), a Music Therapy Studio in his hometown of Kingston, NY and teaches in the music therapy departments at SUNY New Paltz and Molloy College. His work has been featured in The New York Times, on National Public Radio, Fox Radio, and numerous other print, TV, radio and web media.
Foreword by Jon Samson Preface Part I: Music Therapy Studio: The Foundation Introduction: Welcome to the Studio Alan: A Search for Competence What Makes It Therapy? Connection, Communication, Expansion Unconditional Acceptance Commitment Generalization Chapter 1: My Journey into Music Therapy What is the Relationship Between "Typical" Musicianship and Music Therapy? Oh, Yeah, My Sister Has a Relaxing Music App: Misunderstanding Music Therapy Backstory: So You Want to Be a Rock & Roll Star Paradigm Shift: My Discovery of Music Therapy Back to School: Well, Not So Fast William: Unforgettable Clinician: Who, Me? Life is Dukkha Chapter 2: Music Therapy Studio Activities of Musicians Which Way Do We Go Digging the Well The Four Experiential States of Music Therapy Beyond Entertainment The Socio-Political Impetus of Music as Therapy Love Me for Who I Am Genius, Prophet, Patient Daniel: Heaven and Earth The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind. Noel: To Make a Better World for All to See Chapter 3: Sacred Space The Music Room Holding Space Interactive Space Akasha Chapter 4: Lessons from Nordoff-Robbins The Music Child The Musical Form Itself is the Intervention We Are Here to Work Indexing and Assessment Mutuality The Archetypal Aspects of Music Changes in Musical Expression are Seen as Significant Changes in Self Living in the Creative Now A New Moral Reality Thomas: Being in Music Part II: Music Therapy Studio: The Framework Chapter 5: Instruction and Practice Practice, Practice, Practice. Then Forget All That and Just Wail Susannah: Facing the Challenges of Autism BioNeuro Music Therapy We All Learn from Each Other James: Broken Brain Chapter 6: Jamming Improvisation: Playing Without Memory David: The Healing Power of Coltrane's "Giant Steps" Owen: A Beautiful Connection Idiom and Archetype Facilitating Risky Interaction: Giving Permission to Express What's There Clinical Aesthetics: The Systems Model of Creativity Danielle: Not So Tough Chapter 7: Composing "Songwriting? What Do I Know About Songwriting?" JeanMarie: Family Songs as Personal Mythology George: Speechless Chapter 8: Performing & Recording What You Say Here, Stays Here. What You Play Here Well, That Might Go Somewhere Hey Gang, Let's Put On a Show! Public Expression as Therapy: Essential Questions Community Music Therapy Director/Producer/Music Therapist: Whose Work is This, Anyway? Darryl: I Was Alone Together We Dream - Together We Heal Some Benefits of a Recording Project in a Post-Acute Rehab Setting We Can (Hopefully) All Agree Upon Censorship John: Set Me Free! Community Reverberations Chapter 9: Goals Ronnie: Hello, Goodbye There is No Such Thing as Resistance, Only Imperfect Communication What Are We Looking For? Therapist - 1, Client - 0: Documenting Measurable Behavior. The Elements of Well-Being Flow and the Elements of Well-Being Documenting the Elements of Well-Being Adapting the Elements of Well-Being If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You Might Not Get There Chapter 10: Ritual The Children's Performance Group: Redefining Expectations God Bless America: It Almost Didn't Happen That Way. Music Contains Magic Clinical Paradigm Shift Part III: Music Therapy Studio: The Philosophy Chapter 11: Transcendance The Famous Double Slit Experiment And That's Not All Far Out, Man But What Does This Have to Do with Music Therapy? Attractor Patterns David Hawkins's Levels of Consciousness I'm Picking Up Good Vibrations: Practical Applications Expression vs. Depression: Shifting the Directionality of Life Energy The Transcendence of Individual Identity: The Whole Universe is Singing Rose: Set the Artist Free Chapter 12: Curing Versus Healing Akashic Records: Nothing is Irrevocably Lost but Everything is Irrevocably Stored You Are the Universe Die and Be Again No Axe to Grind Can I Change All the Darkness and Misery in the World? No. Can I Bring Music Into Those Places? Yes And That's All I Have to Say About That References
An inspiring and thoughtful collection of stories for anyone pursuing music therapy as a career. At once heartwarming and intellectually challenging, Rick Soshensky integrates ideas from psychology, spiritual traditions, and music therapy in an engaging and thought provoking narrative. -- Alan Turry, DA, MT-BC, LCAT, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapist; managing director, Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy, New York University
