Keynote. A Psychodynamic and Relational Understanding of Music Therapy Processes.

Beskrivelse

Outline of presentation in Seoul, Saturday 8th July

A Psychodynamic and Relational Understanding of Music Therapy Processes.

• My background (shortly). Education and work experiences through 40 years in music therapy.

• What do I mean by a psychodynamic and relational understanding of music therapy processes?
I present short definitions and explanations of this perspective from a relational, psychoanalytical perspective and from a relational, psychodynamic perspective and I relate these perspectives to clinical practice in mental health care.

• Definitions of the concepts of Transference/countertransference.
I present three different definitions of countertransference. Empathic countertransference, complementary countertransference and classical countertransference. I further discuss what the different understanding perspectives of each definition of transference/countertransference means for the awareness of the music therapist in the therapeutic relationship.

• How are music therapists trained within this approach in Denmark?
I present a short outline of the 5-year fulltime program at Aalborg University Denmark – the only music therapy program in Denmark. Here three different training tracks are parallel running through all five years. The academic (theory and research training) track, the music (instrumental/vocal, improvisational and music listening skills training) track; The therapeutic (self-experience, client role, therapist role under direct supervision, internship periods, individual and group supervision training) track. Concepts as sensitive listening attitudes and application of disciplined subjectivity as a future music therapist is very important. I also shortly present why music improvisation and use of composed music is important within this understanding.

• Why is self-experience and supervision important?
In a psychodynamic and relational understanding of music therapy processes - both the understanding of the process of client, of the music and of the sensations and feelings of the therapist - are equally important to understand complex clinical issues. For this clinical practice self-experience and lifelong supervision are needed.

• BREAK

• How does this approach influence my clinical work.
I present how I adapt the psychodynamic and relational understanding to work in mental health care institutions and how this work also needs existentialistic perspectives to the psychodynamic and relational understanding. I also present how the aim and techniques of music therapy work differ – dependent on the intensity of mental health sufferings.

• Case examples from three clients suffering from major and moderate mental illness including music improvisational excerpts.
Through three case examples I present how different aims of the work for major and moderate sufferings in mental health care need different working aims and different techniques.
Case example 1) I present excerpt from a case - lasting 9 months - with a 14-years old girl (child psychiatry), suffering from infantile autism. I present how music therapy helped her out of isolation and made her capable of taking piano lessons.
Case example 2) I present excerpts from a case - lasting 16 months - with a man (41-years old) suffering from personality disorders, alexithyme features and overintellectualizing. I present how he came out of social isolation, regained a contact to his body and discovered unknown artificial skills.
Case example 3) I present excerpts from a case - lasting 12 months - with a man (26-years old) suffering from schizophrenia and psychosis. I present how music therapy helped the man being able to concentrate (from not being able to keep any musical tone or rhythm at all in his inner memory) so he became capable of starting to take drum lessons.

Inge Nygaard Pedersen
Associate Professor Emerita, PhD. Dipl. Music Therapist, GIM fellow. Recognized supervisor.

Periode	8 jul. 2023
Begivenhedstitel	Music Therapy Conference
Begivenhedstype	Konference
Placering	Seoul, SydkoreaVis på kort
Grad af anerkendelse	National