Michael J Silverman

Michael J Silverman is a Professor in the Department of Music at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where he conducts extensive research in music therapy and its clinical applications. His work bridges music, psychology, and healthcare, focusing on evidence-based interventions for mental health and substance use disorders.

• Position: Professor
• Department: Music
• Institution: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
• Email: silvermj@umn.edu

His research interests lie at the intersection of music therapy, mental health, and clinical psychology. He investigates the effectiveness of music-based interventions—particularly songwriting and group music therapy—in treating conditions such as alcohol use disorder, depression, and anxiety. His work often employs rigorous methodologies including cluster-randomized trials, scoping reviews, and case studies.

The most recent publications highlight a strong trend in evaluating music therapy's role in substance use recovery, psychometric tool development, and care for older adults. His studies frequently appear in leading journals such as Music Therapy Perspectives, Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, and Psychology of Music, reflecting a consistent, high-impact research trajectory in applied music therapy.

Michael J Silverman has received research funding, including a 2010 grant from the American Music Therapy Association for a project on family-based educational music therapy. While specific awards are not listed, his sustained publication record and funded research indicate recognition within the field. He has advised or collaborated with researchers on various studies, though formal students are not named in the provided text.

His scholarly work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to mental health and well-being. He is actively involved in shaping clinical music therapy practices through research on program development, patient engagement, and therapeutic outcomes in diverse populations including seniors, individuals in detoxification, and those with co-occurring psychiatric conditions.