E-Book of Articles - World Federation of Music Therapy

Hara, Gary: Coming Together: The Healing Process Of Music Therapy Groups
social microcosm-one behaves similarly as one's outside environment; (3)
the here-and-now - little need for the patient to provide group with
detailed past history - "living data" emerge from the observation of a group
member's interpersonal behavior in the here-and-now group. Can correct
maladapted interpersonal patterns while risk new behaviors to learn new
behaviors that would transfer to outside lives. (Yalom, p.3-33 )
Here and now focus: To be effective, the group needs to experience itself in
the here-and-now. This allows the group to perform a self-reflective loop
and members can examine what has just occurred.
Yalom considered the here-and-now focus as crucial in group therapy
functioning. The core assumption is that there is an interpersonal
component in all symptomatology. The therapist treats not the manifesting
symptom but, the underlying interpersonal pathology. (Interpersonal theory
of psychopathology).
UNIQUE FACTORS OF MUSIC THERAPY GROUPS
Yalom's theoretical framework is quite applicable for music therapy groups.
However, music therapy groups differ from verbal group therapy from which
Yalom based his theory upon. Music therapy groups have the following
factors that distinguishes them from verbal group therapy:
1. All music therapy groups have the musical elements of rhythm, melody,
harmony, texture, musical form, timbre, & dynamics to use in addition to
verbal language to achieve Yalom's principles.
2. Music therapy groups establish their own unique experiences while
making music. Members can develop meaningful roles in the group
regardless of their capabilities and language skill. All group members can
engage in developing and making the group's music.
116