MusicPlayTherapy: Parent-Child Psychotherapy

Stumptner, K., & Thomsen, C. (2005). MusicPlayTherapy–a parent-child psychotherapy for children 0-4 years old. Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie, 54(8), 684.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16231598

Abstract:
The early stage of building up the parent-child relationship is especially important. It is the basis for the child’s development of the ability to relate to others and his or her further emotional, social and cognitive development. In this important early phase various risk factors may alienate parents from their intuitive parental competence towards their children. Such interaction problems indicate an intervention in the form of parent-children psychotherapy. This constitutes an entry point for the concept of MusicPlayTherapy (MPT): The early relationship is characterized mainly by complex communication sequences that address the senses at all levels. Therefore, the MPT concept integrates music as medium to communicate and opens up a playing space for play that allows emotions and experiences to be expressed. The components of music such as rhythm, sound, and melody stimulate babies and toddlers to express, play, and communicate preverbally. We work with the child and a parent in the MusicPlayTherapy sessions. Parents learn again to play and thereby learn to reach their children emotionally and to communicate with them. We complement the therapy sessions by counselling sessions with both parents.