Musical profiling : towards a computer-based analysis of clinical improvisations

Professional freedom : A grounded theory on the use of music analysis in psychodynamic music therapy

Although music is the fundamental element of music therapy, music analysis methods are a particularly under-researched area. This study investigates how and when psychodynamically orientated music therapists employ the analysis of musical material in both clinical work and research. Constructivist grounded theory was employed in the collection and analysis of the data. Eight participants, all highly experienced in psychodynamic music therapy, were recruited using referral sampling. In-depth interviews focused on therapists’ experiences of working with different client groups, and the applicability of different assessment methods. Strauss and Corbin’s coding paradigm was used to determine ca…

An assessment model for the musical material produced during the course of music therapy

Assessment is described as the collection and analysis of information with an objective of planning and implementing an effective treatment program. Past research suggests that the professional recognition, level of communication in interdisciplinary teams and the results of research directly depend on the successful implementation of an assessment system. However, to date no tools that assess musical material produced during the course of music therapy are formalised or widely implemented into clinical practice. After exploration of both the clinicians’ and researchers’ needs for an assessment system and thorough analysis of the existing assessment tools used in music therapy settings, an …