Abstract

Self-care is imperative for helping professionals yet literature indicates that these professionals lack the support and guidance that they need to engage in effective and personally meaningful self-care practices. Furthermore, music therapists face stressors specific to the practice of music therapy. Given the importance of self-care practices for music therapists and the potential for vocal improvisation to elucidate personal insights and potentials, the purpose of this heuristic self-inquiry was to examine my own lived experiences of engaging in free unaccompanied vocal improvisations as a means of authentic self-expression. Results were comprised of four overarching categories: impediments and facilitators of authentic vocal expression, the many voices, the authentic voice in professional contexts, and authentic vocal expression and self-care. Each category contained sub-categories explicated through personal journal quotes and insights that emerged. A creative synthesis, symbolizing aspects of my growth throughout the research process, is presented in the form of an original song. The results of this study helped me to further realize and connect to my authentic vocal potentials and in doing so, further understand how my own self-care needs might be addressed through vocal improvisation. Additionally, this research may inspire other music therapists and perhaps other health professionals to explore this medium as a means of authentic self-connection, which in turn could enhance their own self care practices. Other implications as well as limitations of the study, are presented. Suggestions for future research are offered.