An Interpersonal Model of Music Therapy Improvisation

Abstract: The Interpersonal Psychology approach developed by Harry Stack Sullivan served as the basis for a theoretical model of music therapy improvisation. The construct focuses on utilizing interpersonal relationships created within the music to further the understanding of disturbed interactions and to effect therapeutic change. Section One presents a brief overview of the basic tenets of Interpersonal Psychology and music therapy improvisation. Section Two considers selected interpersonal treatment models and builds from them a specific six-phase model of music therapy improvisation. Section Three summarizes "state-of-the-art" interpersonal assessment tools and concludes with a proposed music therapy assessment/intervention model describing possible parallels between musical interactions and designated interpersonal behaviors, and offering possibilities for musical interventions to effect change in disturbed relationships.

Note: interpersonal-psychology.

Keyword(s): interpersonal-process, interpersonal-therapy, music-therapy, improvisation, theory, assessment.

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