Book excerpt: What is truly distinctive about this book is that Oldfield introduces her doctoral research, in which she created the Music Therapy Diagnostic Assessment (MTDA) in comparison to one of the most internationally recognized standardized diagnostic tool.' - Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). 'I believe that the book will be useful for music therapy students, and novice music therapist working in child and family psychiatry and related fields.' - Nordic Journal of Music Therapy 'In her indomitable, accessible and straightforward style, Amelia Oldfield continues to champion the use of music therapy with families in her most recent publication. The book is in many ways a step-by-step music therapy manual, informing us of music therapy methods and innovations and provoking new thoughtfulness for work within the child mental health setting.' - Journal of Family Therapy 'This book could be an invaluable resource for readers who are looking for evidence that music therapy can have a very positive effect on certain disorders and family dynamics. I could imagine it would bring great hope for those whose children find communication very difficult, or where families are struggling to relate emotionally. The book [also] has a lot of clinical research data, which would be extremely useful for students or clinicians needing to validate this kind of work.' - ACCord Magazine 'This practical book outlines and explains the rationale for using music therapy in child and family psychiatry. Amelia Oldfield reflects on current research methodology and describes characteristics of her own approach to therapy sessions, including how to start and end the session, how to motivate children and establish a positive musical dialogue with them, and how to include parents in the session. She also uses video analysis techniques to assess and advance the role of the therapist. Individual chapters focus on the results of the author's research investigations with specific groups such as mothers and young children, groups of adults with profound difficulties, children with autistic spectrum disorder or severe physical and mental difficulties, as well as children without clear diagnosis. Case studies and vignettes supplement these examples. The author also considers the whole process from the initial referral for therapy and using psychiatric music therapy for diagnostic assessment to how to end treatment. This book is accessible to music therapists, psychiatrists, nurses and occupational therapists working with children and families, as well as music therapy trainers, their students and academics interested in music therapy.' - British Society for Music Therapy 'Those who are specifically interested in music therapy as applied to children and families will find no better mentor than Oldfield.' - Mental Health Care Practice 'Well, this book was a pleasant surprise! I found it a remarkably uplifting read. Amelia Oldfield describes in detail how she has managed to interact through music with children (and adults) with a wide range of significant difficulties, intellectual, emotional and physical. Her music therapy is intended to help with diagnosis but she also involved parents and carers in her sessions in a way which helps them to come to terms with and deal more comfortably with their charges.' - Adoption.net This practical book outlines and explains the rationale for using music therapy in child and family psychiatry. Amelia Oldfield reflects on current research methodology and describes characteristics of her own approach to therapy sessions, including how to start and end the session, how to motivate children and establish a positive musical dialogue with them, and how to include parents in the session. She also uses video analysis techniques to assess and advance the role of the therapist. Individual chapters focus on the results of the author's research investigations with specific groups such as mothers and young children, groups of adults with profound difficulties, children with autistic spectrum disorder or severe physical and mental difficulties, as well as children without clear diagnosis. Case studies and vignettes supplement these examples. The author also considers the whole process from the initial referral for therapy and using psychiatric music therapy for diagnostic assessment to how to end treatment. This book is accessible to music therapists, psychiatrists, nurses and occupational therapists working with children and families, as well as music therapy trainers, their students and academics interested in music therapy.