The Use of Music Therapy on an Adolescent Psychiatric Unit

Authors

  • JOHN S. SAROYAN Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12926/zr5fpa12

Keywords:

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Abstract

This article considers the therapeutic value of a music therapy group with adolescents at an in-patient psychiatric facility. Emphasis is placed upon individual success for a given group task as patients are encouraged to participate at their own level of comfort. It is the responsibility of the music therapist to ensure that the participants are comfortable and do not feel threatened by high expectations
or measures of evaluation. The process helps enhance group skills as a result of increased trust among peers and the adolescents' improved self-esteem. Expressing one's feelings gradually becomes less threatening and tends to get generalized into other group therapies.

References

Brennan, A. (1985). Participation and self-esteem: A test of six alternative explanations. Adolescence, 2078), 445-466.

Gewirtz, H. (1964). Music therapy as a form of supportive psychotherapy with children. Journal of Music Therapy, 12), 61-65.

Johnson, R. E. (1981). E. Thayer Gaston: Leader in scientific thought on music therapy and education. Journal of Research in Music Education, 294), 279-286.

Moreno, J. J. (1980). Musical psychodrama: A new direction in music therapy. Journal of Music Therapy, 17(1), 34-42.

Moreno, J. J. (1988). The music therapist:' Creative arts therapist and contemporary shaman. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 15(4), 271-280.

Schulberg, C. H. (1985). The music therapy source book: A collection of activities categorized and analyzed. New York: Human Sciences Press.

Soloman, A. I., & Heller, G. N. (1982). Historical research in music therapy: An important avenue for studying the profession. Journal of Music Therapy, 193), 161-178.

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Published

2025-03-14

Issue

Vol. 43 No. 3 (1990): Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama, and Sociometry

Section

Articles

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