College of Arts and Sciences

Profile

Susan C. Gardstrom is a board certified music therapist, having earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music therapy from Michigan State University. She received a Master of Arts degree in community agency counseling from Western Michigan University, where she also completed their graduate specialty program in alcohol and drug abuse. In 2003, Gardstrom earned a doctorate in music education with a cognate in music therapy from Michigan State University.

Gardstrom has worked as a music therapist in diverse clinical settings, including public and private residential treatment, skilled nursing care facilities, community centers, public schools, and intermediate school district programs. She has extensive clinical experience with male and female juvenile offenders and has pioneered intergenerational programs with this population and the elderly. She has also served clients with severe physical and mental impairments and autism.

Gardstrom has taught at Eastern Michigan University, Western Michigan University, and Michigan State University. She has supervised music therapy practica and served as clinic coordinator at both WMU and MSU. She has held numerous elected and appointed positions at the state, regional, and national levels and is a frequent presenter at professional conferences.

The Faculty Perspective:
I have been a music therapist for more than twenty years. Yet I am still passionate about what I do, and I strive to bring that exuberance to both the classroom and the clinic.

The focus of my research at MSU was clinical music improvisation with troubled adolescents, a topic I am still investigating.

I feel privileged to work with such talented and dedicated faculty and students in the music department at UD.

Recent Publications:
Gardstrom, S. (2008). "Music as noninvasive treatment: Who says?" Nordic Journal of Music Therapy.

Gardstrom, S. (2004). "An investigation of meaning in clinical music improvisation with troubled adolescents." In B. Abrams (Ed.), Qualitative Inquiries in Music Therapy: A Monograph Series (pp. 77-160), Gilsum, NH: Barcelona. Companion sound files: www.barcelonapublishers.com.

Gardstrom, S.C. (2002). "Psychotherapeutic models." In Thaut, M. (Ed.), Music Therapy in the Treatment of Adults with Mental Disorders, 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Magna-Music Baton, Inc.

Gardstrom, S.C. (1998). "Music therapy with juvenile offenders." In Wilson, B. (Ed.), Models of Music Therapy Intervention in School Settings, 2nd ed. Silver Spring, MD: American Music Therapy Association, 127-149.

Gardstrom, S.C. (May-June, 2001). "Evaluating Special Learners." Triad, official publication of the Ohio Music Education Association.