Abstract
A survey of music therapists working with adolescents with Behavior disorders was essential
to evaluate current trends in the field of music therapy. The researcher utilized a survey to
investigate what music therapy interventions are used in both individual and group music
therapy sessions with adolescents with behavior disorders. Music therapists also reported
reasons that interventions are used in individual and group treatment. Music therapists who
participated in the survey reported to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) that
they worked with adolescents with behavior disorders in AMTA’s annual report supplied to
all members for 2008-2009. Results of the survey indicate that music therapists work a small
number of hours per week with this population. When working with individuals, music
therapists often select interventions that engage the client in active music making. When
working with groups, music therapists report using music interventions that are active and
receptive. Interventions are selected by music therapists for a variety of reasons, including a
focus on the needs of the client, and those of the therapist. The study shows inconsistencies
of therapists’ rational for intervention selection when working with individual clients versus
groups of clients. Additional data is needed to accurately depict current trends in the field of
music therapy regarding adolescents with behavior disorders.
