CIMTR Public Lecture: Music Therapy in Adolescence: An Update on the Evidence and Neurobiology

Join us online to hear from Thomas Stegemann about the latest research findings on the effectiveness of music therapy for adolescents.

Adolescence is a period of profound neurobiological reorganisation, characterised by heightened neuroplasticity, increased sensitivity to reward, and particular vulnerability to mental health problems. Against this background, music offers unique opportunities for emotional, social, and personal development.

This presentation explores the relevance of music therapy for adolescents from three perspectives. First, it examines neurodevelopmental processes underlying the significance of music during adolescence. Second, it reviews current evidence on the effectiveness of music therapy, including recent systematic reviews and clinical guidelines. Finally, it discusses potential neurobiological mechanisms of music therapy, highlighting emotion regulation, reward processing, interpersonal synchronisation, and neuroplasticity.

Speaker

Thomas Stegemann, Prof. Dr., is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, a licensed music therapist, a family therapist, and supervisor. He is Head of Music Therapy at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Austria. His primary research interests include ethics, neurobiology, and music therapy in family settings.