Biography

• PhD, expressive arts therapy, Lesley University
• MME, music therapy, University of Kansas
• BM, music therapy, Sam Houston State University

Dr. Kendall Joplin's research interests include forensic psychiatric music therapy services and reflexivity in music therapists' clinical music decision-making. Her recent research explored music therapists' experiences of if, and how, the field upholds oppressive practices through clinical music choices and musical gatekeeping.
 
Joplin has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally at conferences, and has published within the music therapy and forensic psychiatric fields. Prior to coming to Temple University, Joplin served in a clinical capacity at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C., along with being an adjunct and fieldwork supervisor at multiple universities. Additionally, she has served on the regional and national boards of the American Music Therapy Association, and on the Assembly of Delegates as a regional representative.

Joplin received the Lesley University Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Award during her dissertation research.

Works and Publications

Joplin, K. (2025). Sociocultural trends in music therapists’ clinical music choices. Arts in Psychotherapy, 93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2025.102268

Joplin, K. & Stanley, K. (2024). Music therapy and competency restoration. In L. Grossi (Ed.), The competency restoration handbook: A guide and resources for clinicians (Section 6.1). Oxford University Press. 

Grossi, L., Osborn, L., Joplin, K., & O’Connor, B. (2021). Clinical interventions in state psychiatric hospitals: Safety and logistical considerations. Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, 21(2), 152–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/24732850.2020.1843105 

Dvorak, A. L., Joplin, K., Sims, J., Goldsmith, R., Nickl, M., & Gillespie, M. (2017). [Review of the book Music therapy in mental health for illness management and recovery, by M. J. Silverman]. Journal of Music Therapy, 54(3), 362–367. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thx008 

Joplin, K., & Dvorak, A. L. (2016). A survey exploring the current state of censorship in adult psychiatric music therapy practice. Music Therapy Perspectives, 35(2), 199–208. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miw032