Healing From the Core: Music and Imagery in the Cancer Journey

Journal

Music and Medicine

Year

2016

Abstract

This case study describes the healing journey of “Rebecca,” a woman with breast cancer. Although Rebecca was not cured of her cancer, she was healed on many levels. Rebecca’s music therapy sessions were a catalyst within her multidimensional healing process, which impacted her on mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and relational levels. Rebecca had 5 series of music therapy sessions over a 9-year period throughout the trajectory of her cancer, from diagnosis until her death. The following methods and techniques were included within the 35 music therapy sessions: Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), various levels of supportive and re-educative music and imagery, directed imaging, music assisted relaxation, and improvisation. The variety of methods and techniques were important to support Rebecca’s changing condition over 9 years as she moved through various phases of the cancer trajectory, including: active treatment, survivorship, recurrence, maintenance, palliative, and hospice. Music therapy sessions enhanced symptom management of fatigue, pain, anxiety, panic attacks, and needle phobia. Rebecca’s family members were involved in some of the sessions, including a significant co-imaging Bonny Method of Guided Imagery session with her sister, which brought about core level healing of Rebecca’s needle phobia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Music and Health Institute Terms

Anxiety; Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music; Breast Cancer; Cancer; Fatigue; Improvisation; Music and Relaxation; Music Therapy; Pain; Symptom Management

Indexed Terms

Music Therapy: Neoplasms: Palliative Care: Oncology: Hospice: Adulthood (18 yrs & older): Middle Age (40-64 yrs): Female

Study Type

Case Study; Qualitative Methods

Document Type

Article

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