Music therapy is a treatment that
uses music and musical elements in interplay between one or more
people. The music therapist uses her voice and the instruments in a
variety of different ways to mirror, imitate and address emotions
and moods. The treatment method can be used for different client
groups and the client does not need any musical skills to
participate and profit. In music therapy, music is not an end in
itself, rather the music therapist uses music as a means to achieve
other things, such as ways of basic interaction, development of
personal and social competences, for clarification and growth,
derivation, and pain relief. Such goals can create meaning and
increase the client's quality of life.
Many factors influence whether- and/or to what degree - the
client will benefit from music therapy. The building of a trusting
relationship between client and therapist is vital to allow the
client to freely explore the self and the outer world.
Music therapy as described above is based on the active use of
music, but there is also great potential in receptive music. As an
example this can be done via Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) which
is a holistic , psychotherapeutic treatment method, centered around
music, developed by the American music therapist Helen Lindquist
Bonny. The method is characterized as "... a process in which
internal pictures are created through the listening to music"
or "... an in-depth musical psychoterapeutic method where
specific pieces of classical music are used to create inner
experiences" (Bonde & Moe, 2007).
The method can be used for personal development and presents a
possibility to explore internal and unconscious processes. GIM is
an interesting alternative to traditional treatment methods to gain
quality of life.
To become a music therapist in Denmark requires a Master's
Degree from Aalborg University. For further information about music
therapy and GIM, please refer to the Links page.
