When these elements are verbalized, they enhance communication among group members and foster group cohesion.
Group Analytical Music Therapy
Music therapy can also be conducted in a group setting. The dynamics, interactions, relationships, thoughts, and emotions are activated through the use of music, particularly clinical improvisation, and through verbal communication when necessary.
Clinical improvisation is similar to musical improvisation in jazz, but here the focus is on free communication rather than achieving an aesthetically perfect outcome or demonstrating technical proficiency on an instrument.
This method is rooted in Foulkes' group analysis theory and Priestley's analytic music therapy.
FAQs
What Happens in a Group Music Therapy Session?
During a group music therapy session, members use their bodies, voices, and musical instruments to create sounds and music freely, creating a space where the unconscious experiences of both individuals and the group intersect. It is captivating to feel your music being heard and to have other members engage with, affirm, and potentially enhance and develop your musical idea. Various simple musical instruments are available in the center of the circle, and members are encouraged to connect freely through music-making. The facilitator, a music therapist, actively participates in this musical creation. Afterward, verbal reflection on the improvisation experience helps deepen the understanding of experiences, enhancing communication and connection within the group in the present moment.