23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

Faye is married to a scientist. She describes him as a
suspicious person and very like her mother - a very
critical and controlling man. They argue frequently and
have verbal 'slinging matches'.
Faye shows personality traits typically associated with a
dysfunctional family background and childhood abuse.
Initially she had poor ego boundaries and was unable to
identify feeling states, or to make even very simple
decisions. She has a physical appearance consistent
with anorexic tendencies - very thin, bony, poorly
nourished and anxious.
Faye's symptoms are consistent with a dissociative
disorder, with cyclothymic mood swings, anxiety attacks
and some obsessional and anorexic characteristics.
She has a dependent personality. All of these symptoms
are consistent with a childhood marred by physical and
477
emotional abuse.
At the commencement of therapy Faye had recently
failed an advanced piano exam., and her self esteem
was very low and she was depressed.
In the first series of G.I.M. sessions, the major gain was
working through body imagery consistent with abuse. In
session 3, during Debussy's Dances Sacred and
Profane, her imagery was of snakes in her chest, which
were black and yellow. In session 4, during the
Pachelbel Canon, her imagery was of purple and black
(bruising)in the throat. Her heart was wide open and a
fairy appears to sew it up and wrap it in a gauze
bandage.
In session 5, during the Haydn Cello Concerto (slow