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

M U S I C A N D I M A G E R Y I N T H E T R E A T M E N T O F
C H E M I C A L A D D I C T I O N S
RUTH SKAGGS, M.A., LPC, CET .
Although there is a plethora of substance abuse
treatment centers across the country, the relapse rate is
abysmally high in both private and public institutions. I
assume that the same is true in countries throughout
the world. It is clear that something more than current
treatment methods is necessary. The use of music and
imagery elicited through focused listening to it is an
approach that I use with groups and in individual
practice. It is not viewed as a replacement for current
treatment approaches, but rather as an addition that
provides something not present in most treatment
plans: access to the deepest, wisest, most creative
dimensions of a human. Those dimensions are found in
the unconscious, the nonconscious, or nonordinary
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states of consciousness, whatever term you choose in
reference to the parts of self not readily available to
awareness.
To give you something of my background for this
presentation: I have a Bachelor of Music degree, a
graduate degree in psychology and post-graduate
training in family systems. I completed training in
Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) therapy in 1982, and I
have had adjunct training in other expressive therapies.
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private
practice in Atlanta, GA, working with individuals and
groups. As founder of the Southeastern Institute For
Music-Centered Psychotherapy, I conduct training
programs in GIM therapy, and I use music extensively
as the nucleus for the practice of depth psychotherapy.
Much of the material in this presentation is derived from
my work leading groups at St. Jude's Recovery Center