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

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.

Microskills Training: A Model for Teaching Verbal Processing Skills in Music Therapy

“…These skills have been used to facilitate verbal processing of thoughts, behaviors, and emotions (Amir, 1999;Gardstrom, 2001;Grocke & Wigram, 2007;Linblad, 2016).…”

“…For music therapists practicing from a music-centered or music as therapy perspective, music is the catalyst for change. Music serves as the medium through which therapeutic issues are accessed, addressed, and resolved (Ansdell, 1999;Bruscia, 1998a;Gardstrom, 2001;Linblad, 2016), and verbal components are typically limited to social interactions and assessment of the therapeutic progress (Gardstrom, 2001;Grocke & Wigram, 2007;Guerrero, Marcus, & Turry, 2015). However, some musiccentered models like Analytic Music Therapy incorporate verbal interventions to communicate ideas, share insight, and make interpretations (Amir, 1999;Bruscia, 1988).…”

An Investigation of Music Therapists' Experiences of Verbal Dialogue in Music Therapy Sessions

“…The dearth of literature and resources on the topic of verbalisation in music therapy has been highlighted by previous authors (Lindblad, 2016;Schwartz, 2019). Grocke and Wigram (2007) suggested that comprehensive training in counselling skills was not necessary for music therapists but stressed that some basic skills could equip practitioners when exploring and processing music experiences with their clients.…”

“…This paper presents an exploratory investigation of issues relating to music therapists' understandings of verbal dialogue and the perceived benefits and challenges of engaging in verbal dialogue with clients. Basic counselling or communication skills have an established place throughout many music therapy sessions, specifically to: open and close sessions, gather information and provide feedback about clients' musical experiences, establish trust, and to facilitate genuine encounters (Grocke & Wigram, 2007;Lindblad, 2016). However, the applicability of verbal interaction remains a divisive topic within the literature (Aigen, 2014), with some authors arguing that the thera-peutic impact of musical engagement may be diminished if processed through higher cognition.…”

“…In this regard, verbal processing has been described as a dynamic process that unfolds over the course of therapy and refers more specifically to the process of assisting clients to make sense of their musical experiences. Lindblad (2016) recognised the "supra verbal" qualities of music while simultaneously acknowledging the importance of words for comprehending and clarifying the musical experience on a conscious level. In a qualitative study of three music therapy sessions, three primary functions of verbal dialogue were identified.…”