Open AccessSignificant Moments in Improvisational Music Therapy
Author(s) -
Katelyn Beebe
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
voices
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1504-1611
DOI - 10.15845/voices.v21i3.3152
Subject(s) - improvisation , music therapy , psychology , nonverbal communication , psychotherapist , modalities , variety (cybernetics) , session (web analytics) , cognitive psychology , developmental psychology , visual arts , sociology , computer science , art , social science , artificial intelligence , world wide web
Four composite case examples are presented and discussed as they relate to emotional expression, significant moments in the therapeutic process, and communication using a variety of modalities in music therapy with adults diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Building on therapeutic awareness through discussing musical elements, body movement and posture, countertransference, and interactional patterns, the implications of deep emotional connection and processing are approached using primarily nonverbal methods. Composite vignettes from the author’s clinical work demonstrate awareness of these factors in the moment as they impacted the session, therapeutic relationship, and other professionals’ understanding of music therapy in this population. Implications for emotional processing in clinical practice are presented as they relate to the concepts presented in this paper.