Something that defines music therapy as a profession is the manner in which music therapists communicate with each other and with those outside the profession. This book takes up the major forums for professional communications—such as books, book chapters, journal articles, in-service and conference presentations—and examines the commonalities among them as well as the unique features of each one. General subjects relevant for both writing and presenting are explored. These include areas such as developing a topic and focus, how to illustrate theory, how to organize a publication or presentation, how to create models and other presentational devices, and how and when to integrate clinical examples. Chapters devoted to the unique aspects of writing examine issues in scholarly writing, how to use background information, and the use of various style guides and other aids to writing. Chapters addressing the creation of presentations focus on different formats for presenting, how to use clinical materials in a live presentation, and how to best find the balance between clinical and conceptual material. The book also takes up topics specific to music therapy, including common writing blocks encountered by music therapists, the relative advantages of different media in communicating clinical work, and the considerations involved in creating written and spoken descriptions of clinical work. There is also much practical information offered on the various audio and video media for presenting clinical examples. This guide will be of use to all music therapists who to desire to communicate with their colleagues in professional forums and who would like to do so with a degree of clarity and commitment that reflects the passion they feel about their work.(ISBN 1-891278-18-5, 138 pages, $22).

Reviews By:

Barbara Wheeler in Music Therapy Perspectives, 2003, 21 (2), 117-118. Carolyn Arnason in Canadian Association for Music Therapy Newsletter, Spring 2004, 30 (1). Brynjulf Stige in the Nordic Journal of Music Therapyy, 2005. Rachel Darnleigh Smith, in the British Journal of Music Therapy, 20 (1), 2006, pp. 58-60.