E-Book of Articles - World Federation of Music Therapy

Hara, Gary: Coming Together: The Healing Process Of Music Therapy Groups
rapport with members and among themselves through the music. Therapist
may need to become directive in order to facilitate the group.
THEMATIC DEVELOPMENT: Group members further development
relationship with therapist and show more willingness to share feelings/
give input and/or take risks with therapist's support. Feelings are revealed
through musical playing with group displaying more noticeable listening and
responding. Group development of group norms. A particular theme (issue/
feeling) may arise from a group member or the group as a whole through
the nature of the music being played which later can be focused upon
later. Therapist's role: Become more like a participating group member to
be with the group members while in the music. Share group leadership by
allowing group members to initiate and lead the group into musical
experiences. Try to allow more space within the music for group members
to develop their own musical materials/themes.
THEME FOCUSED: Group members may develop noticeable relationships
among themselves. Group members may develop more autonomy from
therapist and might even divert from former preferred musical structures.
Group may focus upon a shared feeling, problem and/or issue that is
expressed through the music. Therapist's role: Varies from being passive to
active with interventions made in order to focus/ work upon the theme
presented during the session.
CLOSURE: Reflect on what had occurred in the group during the session.
Sharing among group members on feelings / issues that were expressed or
what group members had done. Sharing by members can be musical,
verbal, or both. Therapist's role: Directive as in warm-up. Promote sharing
including sharing own personal experience from session, thoughts,
observations, and feelings related to the group. These can be done through
a musical experience to conclude the session.
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