{"title":"Music therapy and silence – Silence in music therapy. A systematic review","authors":"Christine Stolterfoth , Eric Pfeifer","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102286","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102286","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This systematic review identifies and analyzes research on the application and effects of silence in music therapy to derive implications for future investigations and practical applications. A database search was carried out via PsycINFO, PubMed, Psyndex, and Google Scholar using specific keywords for the period between January 1, 2002 and May 1, 2024. Only original peer-reviewed empirical studies in English and German were considered. Five out of 89 studies met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. The results suggest that silence is a complex phenomenon that occurs in various forms in music therapy affecting relaxation, mood, rumination, and the perception of self, time, and space. Some authors define silence as a music-therapy method in its own right; others apply specific silence-related models. The presence of a music therapist and the therapeutic relationship influence the positive effects of silence in music therapy. The included studies must be discussed critically due to their heterogeneity in study design, research questions, and methodology. Future research on silence in music therapy is indicated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 102286"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143621168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"‘Go with the \"wave of music\" to dive deep’: Exploring perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy and the role of music within this practice","authors":"Ann MacLeod , Victoria Clarke , Catherine Warner","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102284","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102284","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is increasing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PT) as a mental health intervention; however, there is a long history of stigma associated with psychedelics, which may be a barrier to implementation. For this reason, it is important to examine the acceptability and perceptions of PT among mental health professionals, service users and the wider public. In almost all PT research carried out to date, music listening is used as an essential adjunct to support the therapeutic aims, such as having a ‘peak experience’ and emotional release, however existing research has not addressed the perceptions of the role of music in PT. This qualitative study used a novel hybrid vignette-story completion method to explore understandings of PT and the role of music in the practice. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop three themes: (1) ‘Psychedelic therapy can reach the parts that other therapies cannot reach’; (2) ‘Music as a guide’; and (3) ‘It’s no magic bullet’: the potential risks of PT. The analysis highlights the important role that music is perceived to play in the practice of PT, positive perceptions of PT as a mental health intervention, alongside concerns about potential risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 102284"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143592125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Your life within me: Exploring a visual art journal group intervention for women who experienced stillbirth","authors":"Maya Gronner Shamai, Einat Metzl","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102269","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102269","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The paper presents the results of a pilot study, of a 6-week art therapy group for mothers grieving the loss of their stillborn baby. The intervention encompassed weekly artmaking within a visual journal and group dialogue inspired by the Two-Track Model of Bereavement and art-based grief processing models. The research explored the potential usefulness through a mixed-methods design, which included comparisons of pre- and post-intervention measures of emotional regulation and measures of ongoing internal relationship with the deceased, as well as the participants’ perception of the intervention’s meaning captured through art-based interviews. Results indicated statistical trends of the quantitative measures toward increased emotional regulation, well-being, and a strengthened relationship with the deceased. The thematic analysis highlighted the challenges of coping with stillbirth as a profound, often ambiguous, and unacknowledged loss. Participants found that acknowledging their relationship with the deceased, participating in a support group, and maintaining a visual journal were particularly helpful. The discussion integrated findings with art therapy and medical considerations for this often under-addressed and societally untold loss.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 102269"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sociocultural trends in music therapists’ clinical music choices","authors":"Kendall Joplin","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102268","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102268","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Research has shown that sociocultural identities impact musical preferences and values in the general population. However, there is a dearth of literature investigating if similar impacts are seen in music therapists’ clinical music decisions. As healthcare professionals bound to do no harm to clients, music therapists should investigate if bias impacts clinical decision-making in music therapy sessions. The researcher conducted a survey with <em>N</em> = 288 music therapists to identify their top five self-chosen songs for use in clinical music therapy sessions. The music therapists’ demographic information was compared to the demographic information of the musical artists they listed in the survey to determine if there are trends between the two. Disparities of representation in chosen musical selections showed potential relationships based on music therapists’ gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ identity, religion, dis/ability identity, level of education, and the age of the participants. Future research should explore each component more in-depth to determine the statistical relationship between music therapists’ sociocultural identities and the music they self-select for use in music therapy sessions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 102268"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143549819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adrienne C. Steiner-Brett , Bhibha Das , Maggie Ford , Jie Yang
{"title":"“Listen, Breathe, Move”: Piloting an online integrated group music therapy and gentle movement intervention for informal/family caregivers","authors":"Adrienne C. Steiner-Brett , Bhibha Das , Maggie Ford , Jie Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102267","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102267","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Informal/family caregiving includes over 1 billion people across the globe who provide unpaid care to an individual living with chronic health needs. The reported physical and psychosocial health needs related to caregiving are vast, but positive perceptions of caregiving aid in mitigating negative health outcomes and may help with supporting the sustainability of caregivers in their role. Music therapy and gentle movement, particularly yoga, are well-documented nonpharmacological interventions that positively impact a variety of psychosocial health outcomes of informal/family caregivers (IFCG). However, despite positive findings associated with both disciplines, there have been no investigations to date exploring the impact of a fully integration of the two disciplined delivered to IFCGs. The purpose of this investigation was thus to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a single, group integrated music therapy and gentle movement intervention for IFCGs of adults over 18-years-old, delivered synchronously online. Results of the study (N = 14) revealed significant increases in WHO-5 wellbeing scores, <em>t</em> = -3.07, <em>p</em> = 0. 01, and caregiver satisfaction (BASC), <em>z</em> = -2.65, <em>p</em> = .01 from pre to two-weeks post intervention. Results also revealed significant differences in feeling towards physical activity pre to immediately post intervention, <em>z</em> = -2.92, <em>p</em> = .004. Participants perceived many elements of the experience as beneficial and indicated a desire to take part in more robust, similar interventions. Themes emerged indicating that participants highly enjoyed and were grateful for the session, that the intervention was beneficial in improving their psychosocial health, and that the experience overall allowed a connection among participants to be built.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 102267"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143527239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"North American drama therapists’ attitudes toward research","authors":"Jason S. Frydman , Angelle Cook","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102266","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102266","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Research production in the profession of drama therapy has increased significantly, focusing on developing an evidence-base. While these efforts have been forwarded by a select group of researchers, attitudes throughout the community toward research have yet to be investigated. If drama therapy is to grow, increasing research efforts and establishing a collective research agenda is a priority; improving or leveraging associated attitudes is critical to this endeavor. In the present research an anonymous non-experimental cross-sectional quantitative online survey was utilized to gather attitudes toward research among student and professional North American drama therapists (<em>N</em> = 166). Respondents completed a modified version of the Revised-Attitudes Toward Research Scale. They also provided qualitative responses about any publishing experiences. Descriptive percentages and non-parametric analyses were used to analyze responses across and within the sample. Results demonstrated that, generally, drama therapists feel positive and believe research is useful, although some maintained negative attitudes. Group differences were found between those in training and/or with minimal research experience compared to those further in their career and/or had more experience, with the latter reporting more positive attitudes. Recommendations are offered to address contextual factors leading to negative attitudes so research engagement can yield benefits for all community members.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 102266"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143512100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Conceptualizing a Public and Collective Therapeutic Theatre (PACTT): An analysis of Everything is Not Going to Be Ok performance festival","authors":"Christine Mayor , Nisha Sajnani","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102261","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102261","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article traces the origin and subsequent study of a weekly online theatre festival hosted by two drama therapists during the first seven weeks of the North American COVID-19 lockdown entitled: <em>Everything is Not Going to Be OK (EINGTBOK)</em>. In our process of creating, curating, and hosting this festival, we began to conceptualize new ways of thinking about the role of drama therapy, and therapeutic theatre in particular, in responding to collective experiences of distress and trauma in ways that facilitate individual and collective capacity in the context of public health. In the article that follows, we briefly synthesize the relevant background literature, describe the <em>EINGTBOK</em> festival, and share findings from the survey sent to all performers and audience members following the conclusion of these performances. Findings suggest that the majority of respondents considered <em>EINGTBOK</em> to be fully or partially a form of therapeutic theatre, with the following themes emerging as the most important: processing the pandemic; creation of connection and community; expression and validation of feelings; permission to be human; increased political and international awareness; and aspects of the format as holding and containing. We end with the conceptualization of a theatre and public health intervention called Public and Collective Therapeutic Theatre (PACTT) and offer possible practice and research implications of these findings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"93 ","pages":"Article 102261"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143487378","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bailey J. Bennett , Clara A. Corn , Gaelynn P. Wolf Bordonaro , Keith Wylie
{"title":"The effects of a single-session pictorial collage on self-reported anxiety of adults diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury","authors":"Bailey J. Bennett , Clara A. Corn , Gaelynn P. Wolf Bordonaro , Keith Wylie","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102256","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102256","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are life-changing events that can contribute to the development of anxiety and depression, both of which are closely associated with poor overall outcomes. Brain injury may impact cognitive and physiological functions, regulation of mood, interpersonal relationships, personal identity, and self-esteem. Studies have demonstrated benefits of art therapy interventions with the TBI population that could help with recovery. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether an art therapy intervention involving creating a collage could decrease self-reported anxiety in adult participants with a TBI. Through a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test single group design, the researcher gathered quantitative data using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results indicated a significant decrease in State Anxiety scores (<em>t</em>(7) = 6.76, <em>p</em> < .001) and a significant decrease in Trait Anxiety scores (<em>t</em>(7) = 3.06, <em>p</em> = .018) between the pre-and post-test. The results of this pilot study demonstrated a significant reduction of anxiety in participants following pictorial collage intervention in a single art therapy session. The potency of even brief engagement in art therapy experiences supports the use and benefit of art therapy with individuals with TBI.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"92 ","pages":"Article 102256"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143128922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Open studio therapeutic aspects as experienced by adolescents in a psychiatric day treatment unit: A qualitative analysis","authors":"Daniela Finkel , Michal Bat Or","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102264","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102264","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This qualitative study aimed to explore the therapeutic aspects of Open Studio art therapy as experienced by adolescents in a psychiatric day treatment unit. It was based on constructivist grounded theory, youth participatory action research principles, and arts-informed research, and involved nine participants aged 13–18. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and participants’ reflections on their artworks. The triangulated approach ensured a robust investigation into the participants' experiences. Data analysis revealed three primary categories: (1) the shared creative space facilitating individual therapeutic processes; (2) creative self-expression promoting self-awareness and self-discovery; and (3) the art therapist as nurturer and guardian of the creative process. Participants emphasized the importance of a supportive creative atmosphere, a sense of belonging and community, and the art therapist’s role in maintaining the creative environment. These findings highlight the relational dynamics within the Open Studio and showcase how the interaction between adolescents and the shared creative space fosters personal growth and psychological healing. The study underscores the importance of patient-centered and experientially validated therapeutic approaches and offers insights that can better align art therapy practices with adolescents' developmental and emotional needs in psychiatric settings. Study limitations and recommendations for further research are also presented.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"92 ","pages":"Article 102264"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143474039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dance therapy and the criminal justice system: Considering traditional and critical perspectives in prisons, forensic mental health and addiction care","authors":"Ella Dumaresq, Katrina Skewes McFerran","doi":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aip.2025.102250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dance therapy can be beneficial for people detained in prisons and other correctional facilities, yet conceptualising research and practice with incarcerated participants can be complex and multifaceted. On one hand, traditional perspectives align with behaviourism and take a medical approach to analysing and articulating the benefits of dance therapy for criminal cohorts. On the other hand, social justice perspectives highlight the limitations of individual behavioural change and look to broader socio-political contexts to explain the ways in which institutions and systems adversely impact the lives and experiences of criminalised people. Taking these different views into consideration, our article blends traditional (behavioural) and contemporary (critical) perspectives and seeks to crystalise findings from the research literature in a way that honours the relevance of two distinct, yet complementing, paradigms. Beginning with a systematic review, we draw on the Risk-Need-Responsivity and Good Lives Model to contextualise data from an objectivist standpoint. We then position ourselves more critically to examine the constraints of the medical model and suggest alternatives to treatment-focused discourse. Our paper concludes with recommendations for further research and practice which are rooted in our belief that more collaborative models for engaging people in prison and related settings are possible, and worth pursuing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":47590,"journal":{"name":"Arts in Psychotherapy","volume":"92 ","pages":"Article 102250"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143092742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}