Music Therapy in a Parent-Child Reunification Program

Benefits and Challenges of Implementation

Authors

  • Angela Guerriero West Chester University, United States; Tempo! Music Therapy, United States
  • Carol Ann Blank Music Together, LLC, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i4.2601

Keywords:

family music therapy, reunification, family separation

Abstract

Families separated due to abuse and neglect may experience compounded stress, and neglect in childhood may have negative effects on children’s resilience and development (Jacobsen, 2017; Pasiali, 2012).  Music therapy can address the needs of these families seeking reunification, however the process for implementing treatment requires the collaboration of social service agencies, funders, and service providers.  This article describes two different implementations of a music therapy group within a reunification program, the clinical and contextual challenges to implementation, and the benefits to the families. (Übersetzung: Josephine Geipel )

Author Biographies

Angela Guerriero, West Chester University, United States; Tempo! Music Therapy, United States

Dr. Angela Guerriero, MT-BC is an assistant professor of music education at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.  She is the owner and clinical director of Tempo! Music Therapy Services in Nutley, NJ and West Chester, PA. She is also a registered yoga teacher and certified yoga therapist.

Carol Ann Blank, Music Together, LLC, United States

Dr. Carol Ann Blank’s research in clinical decision-making with parent-child dyads frames much of the work she does to support music therapists and others working with parent-child dyads. She designs programs and supports clinicians working in a variety of settings. Dr. Blank is also the Manager of Research and Special Needs Services at Music Together Worldwide where she manages the Music Together Within Therapy program and assists researchers interested in learning more about music, music education, and music therapy, early childhood population.

References

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Blank, C. A., & Guerriero, A. M. (2011). Reunifying families in crisis through music therapy and Music Together. imagine, 2(1), 58-59, Retrieved from http://imagine.musictherapy.biz/Imagine/imagine__online_magazine_files/imagine%202%281%29%202011.pdf, (reprint available from authors: angela@tempotherapy.com, cblank@musictogether.com).

Family Connections (n.d.) Family connections reunity houses. Retrieved from: http://www.familyconnectionsnj.org/programs-and-services/reunity-houses/

Hasler, J. (2017). Healing rhythms: Music therapy for attachment and trauma. In A. Hendry & J. Hasler (Eds.), Creative therapies for complex trauma: Helping children and families in foster care, kinship care or adoption (pp. 135-153). Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley.

Jacobsen, S. L. (2017). Child protection: Music therapy with families and emotionally neglected children. In S. L. Jacobsen & G. Thompson (Eds.), Music therapy with families: Therapeutic approaches and theoretical perspectives (pp. 199-220). Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley.

Music Together LLC (2012). Music Together® aligns with the strengthening families program. https://www.musictogether.com/content/media-files/MTOutreach-MTSupportsStrengtheningFamilies4.pdf

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Pasiali, V. (2012). Resilience, music therapy, and human adaptation: Nurturing young children and families. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 21(1), 36-56, https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2011.571276.

Pasiali, V. (2017). Families and children at risk. In S. L. Jacobsen & G. Thompson (Eds.), Music therapy with families: Therapeutic approaches and theoretical perspectives. Philadelphia, PA: Jessica Kingsley.

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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau. (2015a). FY 2005 – FY 2014 Foster Care: Entries, Exits, and in Care on the Last Day of Each Federal Fiscal Year: Numbers of Children In Foster Care on September 30th, by State FY 2005–FY 2014. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/children_in_care_2014.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau. (2015b). FY 2005 – FY 2014 Foster Care: Entries, Exits, and in Care on the Last Day of Each Federal Fiscal Year: Table: www.cwla.org 6 Numbers of Children Exiting Foster Care by State FY 2005– FY 2014. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/exiting_foster_care2014.pdf.

Zanders, M. L. (2012). The personal and music biographies of adolescents with foster care experience. Qualitative Inquiries in Music Therapy, 7(3), 71-109.

Zanders, M. L. (2013). Foster care youth. In L. Eyre (Ed.), Guidelines for music therapy practice in mental health (pp. 205-236). Gilsum, NH: Barcelona Publishers.

Zanders, M. L. (2015). Music therapy practices and processes with foster-care youth: Formulating an approach to clinical work. Music Therapy Perspectives, 33, 97-107.

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Published

2018-10-21

How to Cite

Guerriero, A., & Blank, C. A. (2018). Music Therapy in a Parent-Child Reunification Program: Benefits and Challenges of Implementation. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i4.2601

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 4 (2018): Special Issue: Music Therapy and Child Welfare

Section

Reflections on Practice

License

Copyright (c) 2018 Angela Guerriero, Carol Ann Blank

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