Jim Borling, MM, MT-BC Program Director, Music Therapy Radford University

Transcription

1 Jim Borling, MM, MT-BC Program Director, Music Therapy Radford University

2 Definition and background of music therapy Areas that music therapy can benefit clients with substance abuse issues Techniques used by music therapists

3 what is music therapy? what does a music therapist do? where do music therapists work? do you work with sick musicians? do you teach music to people with disabilities?

4 Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program

5 Music has been intrinsically linked to a role in influencing and shaping brain function. The brain that engages in music is changed by engaging in music Music can stimulate complex cognitive, affective, and sensori-motor processes in the brain, which can then be generalized and transferred to non-musical therapeutic processes. Dr. Michael Thaut Colorado State University

6 Engages human behavior and brain function meaningfully by: Arousing Guiding Organizing Focusing Modulating perception, attention, and behavior in the affective, cognitive, and sensorimotor domains

7 The basic reason for the arts throughout the history of mankind has been the resultant mental hygiene benefits. The common creative urge, desire for diversion, and search for satisfactory expression exist in all people. Music-above all the arts- guarantees the fulfillment of these elemental urges, and therein lies its greatest value. E. Thayer Gaston

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9 Through Music: Cortical activity stimulates a limbic response that ultimately opens the door for therapeutic change (a door to past memories, associations, people, places, or things ) Music creates an expectation that is visceral integrated where the brain and body co-respond (musical language includes melody, harmony, pitch, timbre, and RHYTHM)

10 The Intimacy of Music and Emotions Music therapists intuitively understand the relationships between music and emotions (from the writing of John Pellitteri)

11 Music is intimate addiction is not Music is emotional addiction numbs us out Music can tell our story when we cannot Music is creative, artistic, aesthetic The inherent qualities of music can naturally activate emotions in a person. Music therapists use this potential in music to create a mood in the environment and a climate for change and growth in the therapy session.

12 When we engage in musical experiences with our clients, we enter their psychological space and in doing so create a new interpersonal space. John Pellitteri, Emotional Processes in Music Therapy

13 Bio-Physical Recovery: as a client is removed from the substance, stress will naturally go up. This is fundamentally a physical event. Psycho-Emotional Recovery: emotional issues naturally begin to rise, cognitive strategies are exposed, comorbid issues may arise. Psycho-Spiritual Recovery: a need for connection to something bigger than oneself may arise.

14 Identify when stress is present in oneself General release of stress in appropriate ways Development of stress management techniques

15 Stress management techniques such as: progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic exercises, use of structured imagination Drumming: structured African-style and/or improvisational style Physical Movement: Dance ;-)

16 Age: 61 Heavily addicted to opiates and methamphetamines Bouts of panic, insomnia, and general irritability Intervention: stress management- a bodycentered relaxation process

17 Identify current emotional states Address emotional manageability, tap into a support system Increased emotional honesty and expression Decreased isolation (tell their stories)

18 Song choice Lyric discussion Song writing ;-) Structured imagery work

19 Age: 35 Strong signs of alcoholism Single mother of two Violent episodes with family and friends Intervention: Lyric Discussion- choosing a song to sing or listen to

20 I ve got nothing on my mind: nothing to remember, Nothing to forget and I ve got nothing to regret, But I m all tied up on the inside, No one knows quite what I ve got; And I know that on the outside What I used to be, I m not anymore. You know I ve heard about people like me, But I never made the connection. They walk one road to set them free and find they ve gone the wrong direction. But there s no need for turning back `cause all roads lead to where I stand. And I believe I ll walk them all No matter what I may have planned.

21 You know I ve heard about people like me, But I never made the connection. They walk one road to set them free And find they ve gone the wrong direction. Connecting with personal alienation Jerry felt the pain of getting honest

22 Music is derived from the tender emotions E. Thayer Gaston (1951)

23 Emotional expression may be the most important benefit from creating and sharing music. Music provides a safe outlet for expression of emotions. It is essential to provide opportunities to verbally discuss and share emotions and thoughts during these types of experiences.

24 Commit to long-term abstinence Directly experience something bigger than oneself Develop a sense of community

25 Lyric discussion Structured imagery work Unstructured imagery work Drumming

26 Through an unstructured imagery exercise, Shirley was ready to take a look at her religious and spiritual life She chose to slogan Let Go, Let God Intervention: mildly evocative music

27 Personal growth/self-awareness Self-understanding Pursuit/development of meaning in life Examine thoughts, feelings, behaviors Develop an internal locus of control All of the above are consistent with CBT, Reality Therapy, Humanistic Psychology etc.

28 It ain't fading, man I gotta let it out Am I crazy? Screaming nothing ever comes out I keep feeling lost, I'll never find my way out I'm not thanking them, unless the truth can pour out Give me some courage Beating me down now for some time Are you laughing am I funny? I hate inside, I hate inside. CHORUS: I'll take this time, to let out what s inside Cuz I will break, sometimes I wish you'd die Full of sorrow, you raped and stole my pride And all this hate is bottled up inside

29 CHORUS: Where'd you go? I miss you so Seems like it's been forever, that you've been gone She said "Some days I feel like shit, Some days I wanna quit, and just be normal for a bit," I don't understand why you have to always be gone, I get along but the trips always feel so long, And, I find myself trying to stay by the phone, 'Cause your voice always helps me to not feel so alone, But I feel like an idiot, workin' my day around the call, But when I pick up I don't have much to say, So, I want you to know it's a little fucked up, That I'm stuck here waitin', at times debatin', Tellin' you that I've had it with you and your career, Me and the rest of the family here singing-- REPEAT CHORUS: (2X) Please come back home... You know the place where you used to live, Used to barbecue up burgers and ribs, Used to have a little party every Halloween with candy by the pile, But now, you only stop by every once and a while, Shit, I find myself just fillin' my time, With anything to keep the thought of you from my mind, I'm doin' fine, and I'm plannin' to keep it that way, You can call me if you find that you have something to say, And I'll tell you, I want you to know it's a little fucked up, That I'm stuck here waitin', at times debatin', Tellin' you that I've had it with you and your career, Me and the rest of the family here singing REPEAT CHORUS: (2X) Please come back home... I want you to know it's a little fucked up, That I'm stuck here waitin', no longer debatin', Tired of sittin' and hatin' and makin' these excuses, For why you're not around, and feeling so useless, It seems one thing has been true all along, You don't really know what you've got 'til it's gone, I guess I've had it with you and your career, When you come back I won't be here and you can sing it...

30 Explore emotional issues in safe and affirming ways Provide for success, enhance self-esteem Explore spirituality and a HP connection Increase overall self-awareness, acceptance, and responsibility to self and others

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32 What would you like to know??? Jim Borling Program Director, Music Therapy Dept. of Music Radford University Radford, VA 24142