1. The Identity of the Music Therapy Profession 2. The Identity of the Professional Music Therapist: Roles and Related Disciplines 3. Psychodynamic, Social, and Music-Centered Perspectives on Music 4. Musical Styles in Music Therapy: Culture, Identity, and the Nature of Change 5. The Medium of Music and Clinical Goals 6. The Relationship between Clinical and Nonclinical Music 7. The Role of Verbalization in Music Therapy. 8. The Client-Therapist Relationship in Music Therapy 9. Music Therapy and Traditional Healing Practices: Definitional Issues 10. Music Therapy and Traditional Healing Practices: Clinical Applications 11. Community Music Therapy: Origins and Definitional Issues 12. Perspectives on Performance in Community Music Therapy 13. Early Interaction Theory and Music Therapy 14. Neurological Science and Music Therapy 15. Evolutionary Theory and Music Therapy 16. An Overview of Current Music Therapy Frameworks 17. A Comparative Analysis of Current Music Therapy Frameworks

Aigen’s latest work is a tour de force that considers over fifty years of scholarship in Music Therapy. It represents a coming of age treatment that will introduce readers from many disciplines to the depth, complexities, discourses and debates that occupy our continuous challenge to understand and articulate the critical and transformative role of music in our lives. – Carolyn Kenny, Professor of Human Development and Indigenous Studies, Antioch University, USAKenneth Aigen skillfully performs a thought-provoking examination of a number of debates within the discourse of music therapy. He promotes a pluralistic outlook but does not step back from substantial critique of positions he finds problematic. We have, then, a challenging yet inviting book we should read with care and imagination. – Brynjulf Stige, Professor in Music Therapy at the University of Bergen, and Head of Research at GAMUT – The Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre, UoB and Uni Health, Uni Research, NorwayI highly recommend this text to all music therapists, and others interested in understanding theoretical underpinnings of our field. - Clare O’Callaghan, Music Therapist and Honorary Associate Professor, University of MelbourneIn this philosophical treatment, Aigen (New York Univ.; president of the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation and past president of the American Association for Music Therapy) takes an academic approach to defining and discussing the issues of this multidimensional profession...the volume includes tables and an extensive bibliography. Summing Up: Recommended. - V. S. Xenakis, formerly, State University of New York College at Cortland in CHOICEThe Study of Music Therapy: Current Issues and Concepts is a groundbreaking publication from Ken Aigen, one of the most pro-lific scholars in our field...This book is invaluable for practicing music therapists and for professionals outside the field who have a scholarly interest in music therapy...I strongly recommend this book. - Lisa Summer, Anna Maria CollegeThe text should assist music therapists to locate and articulate theoretical stances informing their work, conceptualisation of their value, and potentially increase tolerance and shared understanding. . . . . I highly recommend this text to all music therapists, and others interested in understanding theoretical underpinnings of our field. -Australian Journal of Music Therapy This book is a welcome addition to the scholarly music therapy (MT) literature. I cannot think of anything similar, and yet it is obvious that such a book is needed. It presents, discusses, and synthesizes topics that are rarely found in existing books or articles. . . . Aigen is a well-read and up-to-date scholar, so there is plenty of inspiration and discussion material in every part and chapter. . . . Aigen loves debate, and he is excellent in finding poignant formulations for standpoints that are not always easily formulated or properly distinguished. I think all topics are well chosen as related to the dialogical purpose of the book, the intention of multidisciplinary exchange and understanding. - Lars Ole Bonde, Nordic Journal of Music Therapy