Designed for use by music therapy students at all levels of field training, the second edition also scaffolds the knowledge and skills needed as students advance through typical levels of involvement: observing sessions, participating and assisting, planning and co-leading, and ultimately leading sessions independently.

Building on the success of the first edition, the second edition provides even more information on education, clinical training, and music. New features include: additional and updated references, recommended readings incorporated into the text, three levels of assignments, and an entirely new chapter on the essential aspects of becoming a music therapist.

Full of clinical examples that focus on the process of music therapy for the client, this book explores the uses of music therapy specifically with children with special needs, adolescents and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, adults with psychiatric disorders, older adults with age-related needs, and people in medical settings. More general considerations are explored for group and individual session work. Modes of clinical work are explored as chapters delve into the use of improvising, re-creating, composing, and receptive experiences.

The final chapter urges students to consider self-reflection and self-assessment as a career-long commitment. This guide comes from the pens of three experienced music therapists, each with over 30 years in the field and with experience in supervising music therapy students from the perspectives of both faculty and clinicians.