Journal article
Exploring guitar instruction in music therapy education and clinical training
The Arts in psychotherapy, Vol.100, 102516
09/01/2026
DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2026.102516
Abstract
Music therapy is a healthcare profession in which credentialed clinicians use music interventions to meet the needs of clients across a range of ages, domains, and settings ( Bruscia, 2014 ). As part of their education and training in the United States (US) and guided by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), music therapists (MTs) meet musical, clinical, and music therapy competency requirements, including functional music skills on voice, piano, guitar, and percussion ( AMTA, 2013 ). In current clinical practice, MTs most frequently use guitar ( Gregory & Belgrave, 2009 ) due to its availability, versatility, portability, and adaptability ( Jenkins, 2013; Kogutek, 2025 ). The responsiveness and ability to move while playing the guitar can enhance feelings of mutuality and trust ( Krout, 2007) and differences in guitar accompaniment can affect client response ( Haack & Silverman, 2017 ). Although all MTs must learn guitar, and it is the most frequently used instrument, minimal research is available about guitar instruction in music therapy education and training.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Exploring guitar instruction in music therapy education and clinical training
- Creators
- Livia S. Umeda - University of IowaAbbey L. Dvorak - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Arts in psychotherapy, Vol.100, 102516
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.aip.2026.102516
- ISSN
- 0197-4556
- eISSN
- 1873-5878
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/01/2026
- Academic Unit
- School of Music; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Center for Social Science Innovation; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9985218374102771
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