The Contextual Support Model of Music Therapy (CSM-MT) is grounded in self-determination and motivational coping theory. Self-determination theory has identified three psychological needs important for human growth and development. These include autonomy (need for choice and control), competence (need to feel effective) and relatedness (need for social connection).
Stressful environments tend to limit opportunities to exercise choice/control, experience success and develop social connectedness, whereas supportive environments provide opportunities to exercise these drives.
The Contextual Support Model of Music Therapy specifies how music can be used to create supportive environments that encourage engagement (a necessary precursor to learning and enactment of active coping strategies) to manage distress. The CSM-MT provides a conceptual framework to guide music-based intervention development.
Our team has used the CSM-MT to guide development and testing of the Active Music Engagement and Therapeutic Music Video interventions.