Clinical Improvisation in Group Music Therapy With Adults With Severe Brain Injury: A Space Where Everything Can Happen, or Nothing Can Happen
Journal
New Zealand Journal of Music Therapy
Year
2018
Abstract
This paper is a reflective piece on group music therapy with adults with brain injury. The author draws on her experience of facilitating an open group music therapy programme at a long-term care facility for people with moderate to severe neurological conditions. Particular attention is given to the meaningfulness of improvised musical experiences in the group therapeutic process, as well as the challenges of remaining attentive in a space where, at times, nothing appears to be happening. The paper also explores the positive impact of music therapy on non-group members, e.g. volunteers, and its implications beyond the therapy space.
Music and Health Institute Terms
Improvisation; Long-Term Care Facility; Music Interventions; Music Therapy; Traumatic Brain Injury
Indexed Terms
Psychology; Rehabilitation; Psychotherapy; Therapists; Improvisation; Brain damage; Traumatic brain injury; New York; England; Long term health care; Long-term care; Coma; Group psychotherapy
Study Type
Case Study; Qualitative Methods
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Swaney, M. (2018). Clinical Improvisation in Group Music Therapy With Adults With Severe Brain Injury: A Space Where Everything Can Happen, or Nothing Can Happen. New Zealand Journal of Music Therapy, 16, 9-29. Retrieved from https://remix.berklee.edu/mhi-citations/1711