Music therapists work with children and adults of all ages with wide-ranging health-care needs. This handbook traces the history of recent developments in music therapy and the range of current applications and outlines practical requirements for the work and some basic prerequisites for and philosophies of training. The Handbook of Music Therapy covers material encompassing clinical, practical and theoretical perspectives, and is divided into four main sections, including: * the recent evolution of music therapy as a paramedical discipline complementing the more traditional areas of child and adult health care * a clinical section including contributions from music therapy specialists in the fields of autism, adult learning disability, forensic psychiatry, neurology and dementia * a section on resources necessary to practise as a music therapist including musical illustrations and practical examples * a focus on issues pertinent to the life of the professional music therapist including job creation, supervision, further training and research.The Handbook of Music Therapy is illustrated with many case studies and clinical examples throughout, placed within a variety of different theoretical and philosophical perspectives. It will be invaluable to music therapists, other arts therapists and to clinicians such as speech and language therapists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists and social workers.