E-Book of Articles - World Federation of Music Therapy

Hara, Gary: Coming Together: The Healing Process Of Music Therapy Groups
COMING TOGETHER: THE HEALING PROCESS OF MUSIC THERAPY
Abstract
GROUPS
Gary Hara
This presentation will examine the elements and therapeutic processes that
make music therapy groups unique and effective as group therapy modality.
We will examine how improvisational music by clients not only reflect their
development as group members but, can be the primary modality from
which feelings and problematic issues can be worked upon. The music
therapist's role as group leader will be examined in terms of possible
transference and countertransference issues. Challenges of time limited
group work will be discussed. It is hoped that further examination of music
therapy group work and outcome research on groups will be stimulated.
Much of the materials presented are based upon the presenter's clinical
group experience in adult psychiatry. Personal experiences and observations
in leading music therapy groups will be shared. Video exerts of a music
therapy session will be viewed and examined.
Group therapy has become more prevalent within various health care
settings than ever before. Group work is a common treatment modality
particularly within the United States, due to financial and staffing
limitations. Therefore, music therapy work within groups has become the
common practice for many music therapists.
At my hospital facility for example, groups are the major treatment
modality in mental health. All clinical staff lead groups within the
outpatient and inpatient settings. This is to serve a greater number of
patients and increase the number of patient visits to the hospital. The
hospital also encourages a high number of admissions, shorter hospital stay
for each patient, and greater patient involvement in treatment while within
the inpatient units.
This trend (which is becoming more common for all hospitals under the
managed care system) calls for the greater use of groups in treatment.
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