In his book Definìng Music Therapy (1998), Kenneth Bruscia defines music therapy as “a systematic process of intervention wherein the therapist helps the client to promote health, using music experiences and the relationships that develop through them as dynamic forces of change”. What differentiates music therapy from any other form of therapy is its faith in music and its entrusting musical experience with the role of agent, context or catalyst of the therapeutic experience. This means that at the centre of each sitting there is a musical experience of some type. The principles are improvisation, re-creation, composition (“active” music therapy) and listening to music (“receptive” music therapy). Each sitting can also involve verbal procedure, drawing, painting, expressive movement, dance and games. In the IX World Congress of Music Therapy, held in Washington in 1999, Guided Imagery and Music was esteemed among the five most accredited models internationally. It is a method of psychotherapy with music developed by H. Bonny at the end of the ‘60s, after years of research into music and into the unordinary state of consciousness at Maryland Psychiatric Hospital. It is a therapeutic process where the imagination is evoked while listening to classical music. The patients undergo the experience in a state of relaxation while interacting verbally with the therapist, who has the role of support and “facilitator”. The music is an integral part of the therapeutic process; it is not used to induce relaxation, but acts as “co- therapy”, guiding and supporting the process of change. It can be applied to all areas of intervention finalized towards psychic health, hence not only towards “pathological” ailments such as anxiety, mood swings or those of a psychiatric nature, but is also suitable for “healthy” subjects who are going through a difficult patch in their lives (i.e. motherhood) or who simply want to undergo a process of interior growth. Special mention should be made of its use in oncology as a supplementary therapy, by which is meant that it does not replace medical therapy in any way, but rather complements it. It has no effect on the illness and in particular is used to help patients face pain, and reduce anxiety and the collateral effects of chemotherapy, as well as improve mood and the quality of life.
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
In his book Definìng Music Therapy (1998), Kenneth Bruscia defines music therapy as “a
systematic process of intervention wherein the therapist helps the client to promote health, using music experiences and the relationships that develop through them as dynamic forces of change”.
What differentiates music therapy from any other form of therapy is its faith in music and
its entrusting musical experience with the role of agent, context or catalyst of the therapeutic experience. This means that at the centre of each sitting there is a musical experience of some type.
The principles are improvisation, re-creation, composition (“active” music therapy) and listening to music (“receptive” music therapy). Each sitting can also involve verbal procedure, drawing, painting, expressive movement, dance and games.
In the IX World Congress of Music Therapy, held in Washington in 1999, Guided Imagery
and Music was esteemed among the five most accredited models internationally. It is a method of psychotherapy with music developed by H. Bonny at the end of the ‘60s, after years of research into music and into the unordinary state of consciousness at Maryland Psychiatric Hospital.
It is a therapeutic process where the imagination is evoked while listening to classical music. The patients undergo the experience in a state of relaxation while interacting verbally with the therapist, who has the role of support and “facilitator”. The music is an integral part of the therapeutic process; it is not used to induce relaxation, but acts as “co-therapy”, guiding and supporting the process of change.
It can be applied to all areas of intervention finalized towards psychic health, hence not only towards “pathological” ailments such as anxiety, mood swings or those of a psychiatric nature, but is also suitable for “healthy” subjects who are going through a difficult patch in their lives (i.e. motherhood) or who simply want to undergo a process of interior growth.
Special mention should be made of its use in oncology as a supplementary therapy, by which is meant that it does not replace medical therapy in any way, but rather complements it. It has no effect on the illness and in particular is used to help patients face pain, and reduce anxiety and the collateral effects of chemotherapy, as well as improve mood and the quality of life.
CV of Melania Spatola Dr. Melania Spatola graduated in Psychology and did her Master’s degree in Psycho-Oncology with a grade of 110/110, going on to specialise in Integrated Psychotherapy and Music Therapy in Rome with a grade of 50/50 cum laude.
For years she has worked at the Molinette hospital in Turin (University Hospital of Clinical Psychology and Oncology, headed by prof. R. Torta) where she has given psychological assistance to cancer victims and researched into complementary therapies in oncology. She has also worked with various non-profit associations in the training of volunteers and house visits to the terminally ill.
A specialist in music therapy, she has used music with proven effectiveness in various health promotion projects, including with pregnant women and in the prevention and treatment of child and adolescent ailments, as well as support for cancer victims and neurological patients.
email: [email protected]
Related Documents
