by Jude Treder-Wolff

Created on: June 13, 2010

 THE MUSIC WE MAKE: The Psychological Benefits of Arts Training

         Early in my career as a music therapist, a 16-old boy with spina bifida was referred to me by his treatment team for music therapy.  There were clear psychological benefits: guitar and voice lessons appealed to his desire to impress girls, could strengthen his confidence, sense of self and ability to express his thoughts and feelings through songs. He was having a rough time dealing with acceptance about his physical limitations as he moved into adulthood and we hoped that musical skill would provide a means for him to work through his deepening sadness and alienation as well as support his independence navigating life on crutches or a wheelchair. The physical benefits of breath work to develop his singing voice and upper body co-ordination to play the instrument added several other important therapeutic possibilities to the work. His natural musicality, vocal quality, and great personality made him a pleasure to work with, but the 20 minutes before and after each session were surprisingly important—and agonizing—for both of us.

                        His therapeutic plan required that he bring the materials for the lesson to the music room and set them up without my help, while my supervisor and I observed through a two-way mirror just to monitor his progress and safety. It was a noisy, messy process, painful to watch. He tried to carry the guitar, music stand, and books all at once while making his way on crutches, sometimes simply dropping everything out of pure frustration. He used the wheelchair to drag whatever would not fit into his lap, which made an unbelievable racket and usually left a trail of music sheets down the hall. At times anger at his limitations so overwhelmed his desire for the music experience that he would procrastinate so long his lesson was only 10 minutes out of a half hour. It would have been so easy to step in and finish the set-up for him, but it was clear that his psychological development depended on his ability to manage the emotions, process and consequences. And he did gradually learn to pace himself. To organize the tasks. To work within boundaries. To express rather than act out his feelings.

                       

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