User:MusicAB/sandbox

Music has the ability to open doors, which allow us to see beyond a typical conversation or thought process. The artistic attributions that are involved in making and listening to music exist as a reliable source for investigating the unconscious mind. A psychanalysis of how a person experiences music will show how it is able to help people improve their quality of life.

Theories and Therapeutic Techniques
Musical therapy involves different techniques of improving someone's quality of life. In Oliver Sack's book, Musicophilia he discusses several different ways that music can help people with dementia. Moreover, the perception of music, and the memories that are involved with music enable patients to make improvements in their cognitive powers, emotions, thoughts, feelings of freedom, stability, organization, and focus.

The aspect of emotion is a key element in what brings music and psychoanalysis together; they both involve a way of communicating emotion. In an article about Music therapy and group work, the authors discuss how music and active listening play an important role in helping someone suffering from a mental illness improve their well being. Specifically, in music the attunement is what allows listeners to connect with others while listening to or making the music.

When a psychoanalytic therapist uses music with his patients, it makes for a more open experience. The patient is more apt to respond positively and actually have time to respond. Unlike most normal conversations and psychoanalytic questioning from a therapist, the music is not as intimidating for a patient to interact with; it allows the patient to free his or her thoughts with more ease.

Another reason music is being used as a method of therapy is due to its relational improvisation. Relational improvisation is a listeners ability to remember certain stories form their past and resonate them to the lyrics and schematic patterns of a musician's song. This helps the patients get out frustrations with day to day challenges without causing any harm to themselves or others.

Case Studies and Real Life Experiences
Some patients with dementias such as Alzheimer's are able to play songs or musical pieces despite their diseases. One case study in particular, from Anne Cowles and several other authors, shows how a patient that had just been diagnosed with dementia was able to learn a new song to play on the violin.

A patient That was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 15 went through a series of musical therapy sessions. He initially began with a very angry and threatening attitude, but as the sessions continued, the therapist was able to attune with the patient and make progress. She discovered his longing for intimacy and love greatly contributed to his poor behavior. Although the patient was unable to succeed in breaking most of his habits of threatening behavior, the therapist was able to connect better with him because of music

A case study was held involving five children diagnosed with autism. These children where group in an interactive play setting that was individually designed according to music therapy principles. The music itself in the experiments showed to provide a comforting sound for the children, but after the music was over they would go back to their poor behavior and throwing temper tantrums.

Paula was involved in a case study to improve her recognition of her true self. Paula was a musical prodigy, who needed to improve her health and spontaneity. Over 14 months of therapy, which included 44 sessions of music therapy, she was able to gain a more healthy sense of identity. The music that was used in her therapy was different from the music she was used to playing and was better targeted to improve her well being and self worth.