Verbal Dialogue in Music Therapy: A Hermeneutical Analysis of Three Music Therapy Sessions

Authors

  • Katarina Lindblad Private practice, Musikterapicentrum, Stockholm, and Svenskt Demenscentrum

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v16i1.842

Keywords:

music therapy, music, verbal dialogue in therapy, methodology in professional dialogues, present moment, hermeneutics

Abstract

Verbal dialogue is often a main component of music therapy sessions, however, it is seldom discussed in the music therapy literature. This qualitative study examined three music therapy sessions arranged especially for research purposes. Video recordings of these sessions were analysed as well as interviews with the music therapists conducting the sessions. Specific verbal interventions used during the sessions included: questions, repetition and other types of commenting phrases, silence, paradoxes and rephrasings, symbolic language and interpretations. The functions of the verbal techniques are grouped under three thematic headings: to establish trust between client and therapist; to deepen the experience of the present moment; and to clarify some aspect of the client’s life story. Considering that verbal dialogue is so seldom discussed in the music therapy literature, this study aims to provide a contribution to the development of methodology by shedding light upon this topic.

Author Biography

Katarina Lindblad, Private practice, Musikterapicentrum, Stockholm, and Svenskt Demenscentrum

Katarina Lindblad is a music therapist MA, educated at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, with a background as social worker. She works as a freelance in different areas of music, as a music therapist in her own private practice Musikterapicentrum, as lecturer and educator of care giving staff in the field of music and dementia, as a presentator and writer about classical music for the Swedish Radio and their concert hall Berwaldhallen, and as a classical singer.Since 2012 she has been involved in a project on the use of music in dementia care, resulting in a research- and development report and a web based education for care givers, Mötas i musik [Meetings in music], available, in Swedish, free of charge through www.demenscentrum.se.She is currently chairwoman of the Swedish music therapy association FMS, Förbundet för Musikterapi i Sverige.

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Published

2016-02-09

How to Cite

Lindblad, K. (2016). Verbal Dialogue in Music Therapy: A Hermeneutical Analysis of Three Music Therapy Sessions. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v16i1.842

Issue

Section

Reflections on Practice