A Study of the Way Music Therapists Analyse Their Work

1993 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Oldfield
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Video Analysis ◽  
Learning Difficulties ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Therapy Assessment ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Therapy Sessions ◽  
The Way

At present there is no standardised procedure for music therapy assessment in the UK. Music therapists use a wide variety of methods to review their clients' progress. This paper begins by examining some of these different procedures and looking at their advantages and disadvantages. A particular system of analysis developed by the author is then explained in detail. Information about four different clients with severe learning difficulties from this analysis is compared to information gained simultaneously through video-analysis. The results seem to indicate that the author's assessment procedure is an efficient way of collecting information about music therapy sessions with these clients. The paper then looks at whether this same procedure can be used with other types of clients. Suggestions for further investigations are made.

Music Therapy with Adults Diagnosed with Cancer and Their Families

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare O'Callaghan ◽  
Lucanne Magill
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Functional Restoration ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Therapy Assessment ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Spiritual Well Being ◽  
Song Writing

This chapter describes music therapy in cancer care in Western and Asian countries. Detailed descriptions of cancer prevalence, mortality rates, histological classifications, treatments, and biopsychosocial effects are provided. When affected by cancer, music therapy can offer support, enable symptom alleviation, promote endurance and spiritual well-being, and assist in functional restoration and quality of life improvement. An evolving music therapy assessment procedure in oncology is outlined as well as common music therapy methods used in inpatient and outpatient settings, and to promote community ward-based care. Music therapists can: Replay music from the patients’ and families’ lives; help them to explore new musical experiences, such as improvisation, song writing, chanting and toning; and offer music relaxation and supportive or guided imagery experiences. Research has demonstrated music therapy’s positive effects on patients, their families, and staff care givers, reinforcing its important and meaningful role in multidisciplinary oncology care.

Telehealth Music Therapy Services in the United States With Older Adults: A Descriptive Study

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey Wilhelm ◽  
Kyle Wilhelm
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
The United States ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Therapy Services ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Abstract In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many music therapists in the United States turned to telehealth music therapy sessions as a strategy to continue services with older adults. However, the nature and perception of telehealth music therapy services for this age group are unknown. The purpose of this study was to describe music therapy telehealth practices with older adults in the United States including information related to session implementation, strengths and challenges, and adaptations to clinical practice. Of the 110 participants in the United States who responded to the survey (25.2% response rate), 69 reported implementing telehealth music therapy services with older adults and responded to a 32-item survey. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted. Results indicated that while all participants had provided telehealth music therapy for no more than 6 months, their experiences with telehealth varied. Based on participant responses, telehealth session structure, strengths, challenges, and implemented changes are presented. Overall, 48% of music therapists reported that they planned to continue telehealth music therapy with older adults once pandemic restrictions are lifted. Further study on the quality, suitability, and acceptability of telehealth services with older adults is recommended.

Defining the Therapeutic Singing Voice: Further Examination of the Everyday Singing Practices of Music Therapists

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina C Bingham ◽  
Elizabeth K Schwartz ◽  
Anthony Meadows
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
American Music ◽  
Singing Voice ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Vocal Health ◽  
Comprehensive Picture ◽  
Therapy Sessions ◽  
And Training

Abstract Twelve music therapists were observed working clinically in 3 to 5 of their music therapy sessions and subsequently interviewed about their clinical work in order to further examine and define the essential characteristics of therapeutic singing in music therapy clinical practice. Observational and interview data were analyzed separately using procedures consistent with qualitative content analysis and then integrated to provide a comprehensive picture of these singing practices. Analysis of these data revealed 3 interrelated dimensions of therapeutic singing that were integrated into the larger realization of therapeutic singing: (1) foundational vocal skills, (2) vocal engagement, and (3) authenticity. Implications for the education and training of music therapy students, vocal health, and a reevaluation of the American Music Therapy Association’s competencies contextualize these findings for the profession as a whole.

Music Therapy with Anorexia Nervosa: An Integrative Theoretical and Methodological Perspective

1996 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henk Smeijsters
Keyword(s):  
Anorexia Nervosa ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Psychotherapeutic Treatment ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Methodological Perspective ◽  
The Way

The article starts with an overview of the theoretical concepts, the aetiology and the guidelines that have been developed in verbal psychotherapeutic treatment of anorexia nervosa. Next, the views of music therapists working with anorectic clients are compared to the ideas of verbal psychotherapists, and it is shown that there are many points of agreement. In the most important part of the article the following issues are presented: the way in which anorexia nervosa is expressed in musical behaviour, reasons why music therapy should be indicated and, finally, examples of musical playforms and techniques that can influence typical aspects of anorexia nervosa.

Between practice, policy and politics: Music therapy and the Dementia Strategy, 2009

Dementia ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neta Spiro ◽  
Camilla L Farrant ◽  
Mercédès Pavlicevic
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Dementia Care ◽  
Direct Experience ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Care Home Staff ◽  
Living Well ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

Does current music therapy practice address the goals encapsulated in the UK Department of Health document, Living well with dementia: a national dementia strategy (the Dementia Strategy) published in 2009? A survey elicited the views of clients, family members, music therapists, care home staff and care home managers, about this question by focusing on the relationship between music therapy and the 17 objectives outlined in the Dementia Strategy. The results showed that the objectives that are related to direct activity of the music therapists (such as care and understanding of the condition) were seen as most fulfilled by music therapy, while those regarding practicalities (such as living within the community) were seen as least fulfilled. Although the responses from the four groups of participants were similar, differences for some questions suggest that people's direct experience of music therapy influences their views. This study suggests that many aspects of the Dementia Strategy are already seen as being achieved. The findings suggest that developments of both music therapy practices and government strategies on dementia care may benefit from being mutually informed.

scholarly journals Music Therapists’ Conceptualization of Clients’ Experience of Healing: Grounded Theory Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun-Young Hwang ◽  
Hwa-Jin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Grounded Theory ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Theory Analysis ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Korean Music ◽  
Inner Self ◽  
Expression Of Emotions ◽  
Therapy Sessions

This study analyzed the meaning, distinctive features, and process of therapists’ perception of their clients’ experience related to healing in music therapy. Twenty Korean music therapists who work with a variety of clients were recruited to participate through purposive sampling. Corbin and Strauss’s (2008) grounded theory qualitative analysis method was used. Ten categories and nineteen subcategories were obtained. The central phenomenon was active participation in music therapy, which was influenced by client’s readiness. Clients’ experiences lead to healing through awareness of inner self, expression of emotions, and solving problems. These changes were related to the therapists’ interventions, professionalism and qualifications, and their use of music. It was concluded that the clients experienced four types of healing in their music therapy sessions: physical, emotional, social, and transformative.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Music Therapists' Experiences of Verbal Dialogue in Music Therapy Sessions

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siobhán Nelligan ◽  
Tríona McCaffrey
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Dyadic Relationship ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Professional Discourse ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Irish Music ◽  
And Function ◽  
Therapy Sessions

This study presents a preliminary exploration of music therapists’ first-hand experiences of engaging in verbal dialogue with clients in their clinical practice. To the authors’ knowledge no previous studies have examined the role of verbal dialogue from the first-hand perspectives of experienced professionals working in the field.  Three individual interviews were conducted with three accredited Irish music therapists. Four central themes emerged as a result of thematic content analysis: content and function of verbal dialogue, the use of verbal dialogue may contribute to professional ambiguity, returning to the music, and the dyadic relationship between musical and verbal exchange. The findings revealed verbal dialogue to be a topic of interest for the participants in this study, one which stimulated meaningful reflections about clinical practice. The implications for professional identity and clinical practice which arose distinguished verbal dialogue as a potential area for further research and professional discourse within the wider music therapy community. Suggestions were made for additional areas of learning that may assist in preparing trainee and newly-qualified music therapists for potentially challenging verbal encounters with clients.

Music Therapy in Grief and Mourning

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare O'Callaghan ◽  
Natasha Michael
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Therapeutic Relationships ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Impending Death ◽  
Song Writing ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Music therapists endeavour to understand music’s significance for people who are mourning unfulfilled hopes and a life once lived; who are trying to deal with uncertainty, altered identities, saying farewells, or impending death. Through music-based interventions in therapeutic relationships, music therapists extend the opportunities for music to enable and express mourning which can be congruent with helpful emotional release and coping. Participants are assisted to find comfort and fellowship through identifications with lyrics and sonorities, and the improved expressive capacity offered in music. Expanded awareness and renewed identities can occur through music-based counseling, imagery, improvisation, and song writing. Decedents’ legacies from music therapy may help their mourners to continue and rework bonds with them in bereavement. Such legacies include song recordings, and visual, kinesthetic, and sound memories of shared music therapy sessions.

scholarly journals Verbal Dialogue in Music Therapy: A Hermeneutical Analysis of Three Music Therapy Sessions

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Lindblad
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Life Story ◽  
Present Moment ◽  
Symbolic Language ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Therapy Sessions

Verbal dialogue is often a main component of music therapy sessions, however, it is seldom discussed in the music therapy literature. This qualitative study examined three music therapy sessions arranged especially for research purposes. Video recordings of these sessions were analysed as well as interviews with the music therapists conducting the sessions. Specific verbal interventions used during the sessions included: questions, repetition and other types of commenting phrases, silence, paradoxes and rephrasings, symbolic language and interpretations. The functions of the verbal techniques are grouped under three thematic headings: to establish trust between client and therapist; to deepen the experience of the present moment; and to clarify some aspect of the client’s life story. Considering that verbal dialogue is so seldom discussed in the music therapy literature, this study aims to provide a contribution to the development of methodology by shedding light upon this topic.

scholarly journals The Therapeutic, Musical Relationship: a Two-Sided Affair?

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Procter
Keyword(s):  
Music Therapy ◽  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Musical Experience ◽  
Music Therapists ◽  
The Way

Many improvisational models of music therapy involve therapist and client improvising spontaneously together. This is widely described as a form of musical relationship. However whilst there is much discussion of the client's musical input in the literature, the therapist's music attracts less attention. The author considers reasons why this may be the case and seeks evidence, from the music therapy literature and beyond, as to whether the therapist's musical input is of significance for the therapeutic process. An example of detailed analysis of the author's own clinical work is presented, in order to establish whether the therapist's musical input has an observable impact on the shared musical experience and might thus be judged to be significant for the therapeutic musical relationship. Concluding that it is indeed significant, the author goes on to consider the implications for the way music therapists consider their work.

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