A Perspective on Meaningful Aspects of Long-term Music Therapy Practice With a Child with Profound Developmental Delays

Abstract

Based on the assumption that the phenomenon of music therapy can be conceptualized as unique and expanding “meaningful experiences,” not limited to intervention-effect structure, the multi-layered values of the “meaningful experiences” are investigated.

The narrative story by the therapist, written as a part of the case study, is used as the analysis materials; the “meaningful experiences” by the therapist are categorized into the five value aspects of sharing norms from mainstream culture, development desired, Client’s intrinsic Self, dialogical interrelationship, and co-existing contraposition.  Each aspect is interpreted by further classifying into the sub-categories.  As the conclusion, I discuss “overview of the interplay of the five value aspects,”  “meanings emerged in the mutuality of the field,” and “circular, mutually-influence perspective on therapy” Lastly, perspectives in future formal research are suggested.