"There's no place like home" Music therapy work with the mentally ill homeless

Abstract: This thesis is based on the author's work with mentally ill homeless men at a psychiatric men's shelter. After describing this population (factors leading to mental illness and homelessness, the day to day existence of a homeless person, the psychological status of these clients, and society's response to these people), the author discusses the role of music therapy in their treatment. Techniques mentioned include improvisation, singing of songs, chanting/toning, and storytelling with music. Music therapy is presented as a means of enabling clients to find the positive life force within them, express their feelings, establish communication and interaction, experience comfort, strength, and organization, and increase self-confidence. Numerous case examples are given from group and individual sessions.

Keyword(s): Mental-illness, improvisation, singing, chanting, toning, storytelling, homeless.

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