ABSTRACT

The Heart of the Matter invites therapists from all disciplines to consider the use of music and art in their work with families. It introduces systemic music and art ideas, giving clinical examples from practice, and a rationale for using each technique. Conversations with therapists who have explored and incorporated the techniques into their work are shared, and include both personal and professional responses to incorporating new methods in practice. Through a back drop of exploration into what creativity is, the history of the arts in therapy, and consideration of what happens when we use words, the case for music and art to be part of practice with families is presented. This book is more than a handbook of techniques; it explores who we are as therapists, our challenges and our resourcefulness, as we operate in multiple systems to bring about positive change.

chapter Two|9 pages

Foundations: culture and creativity

chapter Three|14 pages

Professional contexts: music and art therapy

chapter Four|8 pages

A shared humanity: music, words, and the mind

chapter Seven|11 pages

Systemic music techniques

chapter Eight|15 pages

Systemic art techniques

chapter Nine|10 pages

Testing the waters: applying new methods

chapter Ten|15 pages

New horizons: implications for practice

chapter |5 pages

Conclusion