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Vol 13 No 1 1999

Finding a Balance between Psychological Thinking and Musical Awareness in Music Therapy Theory - A Psychoanalytic Perspective  p 5 - p20

Elaine Streeter

Abstract

There is a growing body of literature which suggests that it is possible to provide safe therapeutic encounters without reference to non-music derived theory (Lee 1996), and that music therapy theory should preferable spring form an understanding of creative musical processes alone (Ansdell 1995).  The writer sets down a number of critical objections to this 'absolutist' position (outlined by Pavlicevic 1996) and proposes that music therapy theory needs to derive as much from psychological thinking as it does from musical awareness and, indeed, from an understanding of the connections between the two.  Psychoanalysis offers just one psychological perspective on which to draw.  There are many equally useful perspectives, such as developmental theory which the writer first introduced to the music therapy literature (1979) as a result of her early research (1978).  This paper focuses on basic psychoanalytic concepts in an attempt to identify how awareness of musical experience alone cannot provide the music therapist with the means to ensure safe, effective therapeutic practice.  The practical application of these concepts is then illustrated with extracts from two case studies.

Music Therapy with Children Hospitalised for Severe Injury or Illness  p21 - p27

Jane Edwards

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the needs of children receiving care in hospital, including a review of the research and case-study literature addressing music therapy practice with this population.  The use of music therapy in individual programs to address pain, pyschosocial needs and anxiety in hospitalised children is described.  A brief case study outlines the ways in which the therapist must be flexible and adaptive in approaching the time and space dimensions of work in this context.

The Therapeutic Musical Relationship: A Two-Sided Affair?  p28 - p37

A consideration of the significance of the therapist's musical input co-improvisation

Simon Procter

Abstract

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.

Book Reviews  p38 - 40

Music Therapy: Improvisation, Communication, and Culture by Even Ruud/Reveiwed by Mercédès pavlicevic

Musicking by Christopher Small/Reviewed by Colin Lee

Vol 13 No 2 1999

Historical Perspectives Interview Series - Jean Eisler - interviewed by Rachel Verney  p44-p48

Creating a New Music Therapy Post - An Evidence-Based Research Project  p49 - p58

Hilary Moss

Abstract

This paper describes a pilot project carried out as part of a newly created music therapy post in the NHS.  It briefly sets out the circumstances surrounding the creation of the post, followed by a full description of the six-month research project.  this includes a discussion of seven aims for music therapy in mental health, which form the basis of the research.  The process of evaluation is presented, with an analysis of the involvement of the multidisciplinary team in the work.  Music therapy was carried out with six different client groups.  Both client groups and staff were involved in evaluating the service, and the benefits and difficulties of client-based evaluation are discussed.  The results of this evidence-based research to justify the employment of a music therapist.

DIALOGUES

Thoughts, Words and Deeds: Harmonies and Counterpoints in Music Therapy Theory  p59 - p62

A response to Elaine Streeter's 'Finding a Balance between Psychological Thinking and Musical Awareness in Music Therapy Theory - a Psychoanalytic Perspective'.

Mercédès Pavlicevic

Some Thoughts on Music, Therapy, and Music Therapy  p63 - p71

A response to Elaine Streeter's 'Finding a Balance between Psychological Thinking and Musical Awareness in Music Therapy Theory - a Psychoanalytic Perspective'.

Sandra Brown

Abstract

This article discusses points raised by Streeter's article 'Finding a Balance between Psychological Thinking and Musical Awareness in Music Therapy - a Psychoanalytic Perspective' (Streeter 1999).  Whilst agreeing that 'psychological thinking' is essential for the therapist fully to understand and contain the processes in the therapy room, it considers how music itself can bring about integral change within the therapy process.  This is considered in terms of more recent developments in psychoanalysis and analytical psychology, as well as from an aesthetic perspective.  Finally, it warns of the danger of moving form one 'absolutist' position to another within music therapy, and suggests that we as a profession need to be open to listening and learning from a wide range of disciplines, and from each other, in order to enrich our work.

Challenging Premises  p72 - p76

A response to Elaine Streeter's 'Finding a Balance between Psychological Thinking and Musical Awareness in Music Therapy Theory - a Psychoanalytic Perspective'.

Gary Ansdell

The True Nature of Music-Centred Music Therapy Theory  p77 - p82

A response to Elaine Streeter's 'Finding a Balance between Psychological Thinking and Musical Awareness in Music Therapy Theory - a Psychoanalytic Perspective'.

Kenneth Aigen

Book Review  p83 - p84

Foundations of Expressive Arts Therapy: Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives, by S.K. Levine & E.G. Levine (eds)/Reviewed by Mercédès Pavlicevic