An Exploration of the Role and Function of Music Therapy in a Multidisciplinary Service for Adolescents

Catherine Round, 2002

Abstract

Music Therapy with adolescents is not a common area of work in this country. This dissertation explores the use of music therapy on an adolescent unit and aims to show the benefits of music therapy within a multidisciplinary team. The psychology and development of adolescence, the philosophy of the unit where I work, and group work theories will be presented in separate chapters to give a background to the service and client group I am discussing. The rest of the dissertation will investigate the value of music and music therapy with this client group. I will look at the different uses of music, the role of improvisation and the value of words in music therapy. Two individual cases and one group case study will illustrate the theories discussed and will aim to answer questions about how music therapy helps the teenagers in their progress at Oakwood.

Investigation of the literature and an examination of my own work have shown the following: 1) The ability of the teenagers to use the instruments is a factor in them engaging more easily on music therapy; 2) Music therapy can help the teenagers to become more aware of feelings, feel accepted and accept support; 3) Music therapy can facilitate positive changes in ways of relating and helps raise self esteem; 4) Music can hold and provide containment for teenagers painful feelings.

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