The Development of Form-language of Clients in Music Therapy

Abstract: In the Creative Arts Therapy Department of Hogeschool Midden Nederland we are trying to develop a distinct theoretical and methodological basis for our work in Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Drama Therapy and Horticultural Therapy. The main focus of our therapeutic work is for clients to develop a dynamic ability; to rediscover and integrate 'lost' parts of their personality by expressing themselves in music, drama, etc. We can assist our clients in reaching this goal by focussing on the symbolic content of their musical expression. In this case, however, the different with verbal therapies lies mainly in the area of expression: verbally or musically. In our view, musci therapy can add a specific dimension by focussing on the form-giving process of our clients; not only interpreting what feelings a client expresses, but explicitly looking at how he expresses them. In this way we can assist our client to develop his own capacity to give adequate form to his feelings and emotions. Aspects of this formgiving process will be discussed, such as the dynamic relation between foreground-forms and background-forms and the experience of beauty. This paper will be published by the BSMT later in l992, price on application.

Note: Hogeschool Midden Nederland, Netherlands

Keyword(s): Creative-arts-therapy, Dutch, form-giving, musical-expression.

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