David Aldridge

This book provides a realistic, practical, and effective non-violent approach that will help parents deal confidently with children who are behaving badly.

This book shows, for the first time, how research and clinical work can creatively complement one another, proving beneficial to both disciplines. Each chapter is written by a leading researcher and practitioner in the field, and the book covers a wide spectrum of approaches within different settings.

Drawing on the diverse research and considerable personal experience of contributors from around the world, Music Therapy in Dementia Care takes a comprehensive look at music therapy as a means of improving memory, health and identity in those suffering from dementia - particularly the Alzheimer's type.

Aldridge evaluates the existing literature from across the disciplines to ascertain just how effective spiritual healing may be on the patient's well-being. He encourages us to redefine treatment strategies and our understanding of health, and argues that the spiritual elements of experience help the patient to find purpose, meaning and hope.

Complementary therapies are a vital part of any integrated approach to health which includes specialist and layman knowledge. He provides a critique of methods used to assess treatment, and advocates a more pluralistic approach to medical research and practice, looking at physical, psychological, spiritual and social dimensions of a person's life.

Gudrun Aldridge and David Aldridge explore the concept of melody within its historical context and investigate current theories of melody. They make recommendations for choosing an appropriate method of analysing melodic improvisation, and utilise case studies to demonstrate these analyses in practice.

The authors show that where neuro-degenerative disease restricts movement, communication and thought processes and impairs the sense of self, music therapy is an effective intervention in neurological rehabilitation, successfully restoring the performance of identity within which clients can recognise themselves.

In this interdisciplinary and wide-ranging volume, David Aldridge explores the power of music as a healing treatment for a broad spectrum of physical and mental conditions. Interweaving theory and practice, Aldridge demonstrates the many ways in which a culture of research may be developed in a practice setting to the benefit of all.

The author argues that although western culture has traditionally understood suicide to be the choice of the individual, this is a misleading perception. While the patient may feel as though he or she is acting in isolation, the reasons for suicides are essentially social therefore attention should be focused on the patient's social environment.

This book explains the classifications and manifestations of suicide, risk factors, at-risk groups and warning signs. Advice on effective communication and strategies for distress management are offered for use with vulnerable individuals, those who have survived a suicide attempt and families coping with bereavement.

Parents, teachers and other professionals often struggle to know how to deal with disruptive, abusive or aggressive behaviour. This book addresses the urgent need for a realistic, practical and effective approach to dealing with severe disruptive behaviour in children and adolescents.

This international collection examines the opportunities for using music-induced states of altered consciousness to promote physical and mental healing, treat substance dependence, and in spiritual and palliative care. The contributors describe the use of altered states and their therapeutic potential, providing examples from different settings.