E-Book of Articles - World Federation of Music Therapy

How Therapeutic Process effects Performance
Turry, Alan: Performance and Product ....
Many of the issues that arise when performing or creating a product
may feel familiar to the client, and in fact could be a reliving of experiences
he had with his parents. The client may have had parents who demanded
improvement whenever the client performed, or only paid attention and
acknowledged the client when they performed. Having a successful
performance while being attended to by the therapist, the client may
experience a powerful sense of satisfaction. By experiencing performance in
a new way with the therapist, the client may be able to become aware of
issues and deal with feelings that were previously too difficult. The
therapist provides a corrective emotional experience by being emotionally
present, able to be present with the client’s feelings, whether they be joy
or rage, happiness or sadness. Even if the event was considered a success,
the therapist needs to be ready for any reaction the client may have. This
may be more difficult than a normal therapy situation for the therapist as
he has also performed and may have more personal investment in the client
sharing in a positive experience with him.
The client may transfer strong feelings that have been unresolved
since childhood onto the therapist. By engaging in an exploration of these
issues, the therapist helps the client become more aware of and deal more
realistically with his emotional reactions. These issues may manifest
themselves in the music improvised by the therapist and client in
subsequent sessions.
The therapist will need to be on the lookout for dynamics that arise
when performing with a client or producing a product with them. It may be
difficult for the client to discuss them; but exploring these issues has the
potential to enhance the relationship and the therapy process for the client.
The client may feel a great sense of relief that he does not have to hide the
feelings that are brought up during the performance process. By sharing
private feelings that came up in a public forum, the client through time may
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