Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

eautiful room with candles, flowers and tea... this is what attunes me and
invites me to be introvert – and that is the purpose. And a person... with whom I
could communicate and speak openly, at least a couple of times. I needed to
adjust myself to Ellen; I do not open myself that easily to other people (...) I
really wanted her to question me. There was a certain confidence.”
She added the following comments on the therapist as facilitator during the music-
listening period: “She really succeeded in making me trust the music. She would say
‘Let the music give you what you need’”.
Other participants did not explicitly mention the setting. However, being confident,
and experiencing a relationship based on trust, is mentioned by all participants as a
basis for being able to let go of tension, for being deeply emotionally involved in the
imagery, and for addressing complex psychological issues. Other facilitator qualities
were mentioned: “Ellen has been very very competent in asking questions without
going too far (...she) has been able to connect imagery between the sessions, also
connections I wasn’t aware of myself.” (SAAA) “I was able to let go, and it really
surprised me.” (ESMA) “It is nice to have a person who can ask the right questions
(...) Ellen was a very good listener. This is extremely important... to help people
identify what they need to address today...” (PIJØ).
WIFU described how she experienced that both therapist and she herself adjusted and
found the right way to proceed together. One participant (ANHO) never felt safe
about the music imagery, and she experienced the dialogue with the therapist during
the music-listening period part of the session as disturbing. However, she described
the verbal dialogues with the therapist as helpful and productive. Four of the
participants described how they learned to use cd’s with selected GIM music at home.
They would use the music and self inductions to relax and image, “but it is better,
when Ellen is there” (ESMA).
In summary, the participants found the therapist’s approach and therapeutic style
helpful and productive, and the influence of the therapeutic relationship on the client’s
process must never be underestimated. These issues may be addressed in a future
study with a design including such a focus. Among other things it would be necessary
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