AUTHOR=Head John H. , Vasquez Namrata N. TITLE=Integrating cognitive behavioral therapy into music therapy methods using a flexibility within fidelity framework JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025 YEAR=2025 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1734508 DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1734508 ISSN=1664-0640 ABSTRACT=Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most researched evidence-based practices in mental health treatment. While studies have examined the effectiveness of music therapy in comparison or in addition to cognitive behavioral therapy, none have examined how to use principles of cognitive behavioral therapy within the four music therapy methods using flexibility within fidelity as a framework. A real case example is provided to illustrate the incorporation of CBT principles into music therapy methods resulting in resolution of PTSD and anxiety symptoms.