Music therapy and the treatment of trauma-induced dissociative disorders

Journal/Book: Arts in Psychotherapy. 1993; 20: 243-251.

Abstract: Argues that music improvisation connects the mind and the body through the act of expression in cases of healing splits or dissociations. Thus, music therapy provides integration through holism. The healing process for patients with traumatic experiences is discussed in terms of surfacing repressed material and a healing force from within. A 3-fold trauma recovery process through the use of music improvisation in therapy is presented. Part 1 involves creating a safe space; Part 2 involves exploration, expression, and integration; and Part 3 involves group closure. The musical techniques of "holding" and "splitting" are described along with clinical examples. The holding case involves a 42-year-old physically and sexually abused woman; the splitting case involves 2 women who were victims of sexual abuse. An example of a young woman's use of an "internal musical dialogue" in her therapy for multiple personality disorder is also discussed.

Note: improvisation in music therapy; dissociations; adult female victims of physical &/or sexual abuse or multiple personality disorder

Keyword(s): Music therapy; dissociative patterns; emotional trauma; child abuse; multiple personality; sexual abuse; physical abuse; early experience; adulthood

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