Music therapy and complex trauma: A protocol for developing social reciprocity
Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Residential Treatment for Children & Youth
Abstract
Music therapy is emerging as a practice medium that is
applicable for children who have experienced severe and prolonged interpersonal
trauma in highly compromised caretaking relationships. Complex
trauma is an evolving diagnostic and conceptual schema that attempts to
describe fundamental trauma-related disturbances, including the interplay
between interpersonal trauma and interpersonal functioning. Children
with early and significant trauma histories often manifest ongoing interpersonal and attachment difficulties, including a diminished ability
to reciprocate in social relationships. Therapy approaches specifically
designed to develop and nurture the reciprocal social capacities are
critically important to trauma recovery and healthy child development.
The purpose of this article is to discuss the use of music therapy approaches
in complex trauma work, and to describe briefly a music therapy
protocol designed to stimulate attachment capacity and develop social
reciprocity skills. The protocol provides residential therapists a model
that is flexible, stage-wise, and adaptable, addressing core relational capacities
that children need to negotiate safe interpersonal attachments.
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
complex trauma, social reciprocity, Music therapy, attachment
Citation
Hussey, D. L., Reed, A. M., Layman, D. L., & Pasiali, V. (2008). Music therapy and complex trauma: A protocol for developing social reciprocity. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 24(1-2), 111-129.