Publication Date
7-2024
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Experiencing the death of a loved one as a young person is challenging in its own right, and underlying trauma can complicate one’s bereavement. With little available research exploring the intersections of trauma and grief, this paper aims to provide a foundational understanding of how trauma contexts and histories manifest in music therapy bereavement support programming for young people. Theoretical models that are culturally grounded, resource-oriented, and adopting an ecological, multisystemic lens are presented. The impacts of interpersonal trauma, trauma from systemic oppression, collective trauma, and intergenerational trauma are explored within the context of bereavement support. Diverse music therapy approaches to support the various trauma and grief intersections are shared. Lastly, reflection questions to support a culturally humble practice are offered for those committed to providing meaningful and socially conscious support for youth who have experienced trauma and loss. Given the high prevalence of trauma and death experiences among young people, all music therapists, regardless of clinical setting, would benefit from being trauma- and bereavement-informed.
DOI
10.1016/j.aip.2024.102166
Journal Title
The Arts in Psychotherapy
Volume (Issue)
89 (2024)
Journal ISSN
1873-5878
Recommended Citation
Myers-Coffman, Katherine PhD, MT-BC, "Intersections of trauma and grief: Navigating multilayered terrain in music therapy to support youth through bereavement" (2024). Faculty Publications: Music Therapy. 1.
https://digitalcommons.molloy.edu/must_facpub/1
Document Version
Publisher's PDF
Publisher's Statement
© 2024 The Author. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
