Login | Register

The Integral Role of the Therapeutic Relationship within a Neuroscience-Informed Approach to Music Therapy Practice: A Philosophical Inquiry

Title:

The Integral Role of the Therapeutic Relationship within a Neuroscience-Informed Approach to Music Therapy Practice: A Philosophical Inquiry

Dietz, Lorelei (2022) The Integral Role of the Therapeutic Relationship within a Neuroscience-Informed Approach to Music Therapy Practice: A Philosophical Inquiry. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

[thumbnail of Dietz_MACATS(MT)_W2022.pdf]
Preview
Text (application/pdf)
Dietz_MACATS(MT)_W2022.pdf - Accepted Version
604kB

Abstract

The purpose of this philosophical inquiry was to argue for the integral importance of the therapeutic relationship within a neuroscience-informed approach to music therapy practice. A preliminary review of the music therapy literature revealed that the therapeutic relationship is important for the following reasons: the therapeutic relationship (a) provides a safe environment integral to the music therapy process; (b) enhances motivation and engagement through a collaboration between the client and music therapist; and (c) informs the active individualization of music therapy interventions. An initial review of the literature included an exploration of the neuroscience-informed music therapy literature and the importance of the therapeutic relationship in music therapy practice. The neuroscience-informed music therapy literature was analyzed using the aforementioned reasons to investigate why the therapeutic relationship is important within the approach. Findings of the analysis provided evidence of the importance of the therapeutic relationship within neuroscience-informed music therapy, as well as preliminary conceptualizations of the relationship using existing neuroscience-informed clinical protocols. Perspectives from social neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, music neuroscience, and music therapy were integrated throughout the research thesis to provide music therapists working from a neuroscience-informed approach with the language to articulate the importance of the relational elements of their work. Recommendations for future research are presented.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Fine Arts > Creative Arts Therapies
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Dietz, Lorelei
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Creative Arts Therapies (Music Therapy)
Date:14 April 2022
Thesis Supervisor(s):Tan, Melissa
Keywords:music therapy, therapeutic relationship, neuroscience-informed music therapy, neuroscience, neurologic music therapy
ID Code:990469
Deposited By: Lorelei Dietz
Deposited On:16 Jun 2022 14:35
Last Modified:16 Jun 2022 14:35

References:

Abrams, B. (2010). Evidence-based music therapy practice: an integral understanding. Journal of Music Therapy, 47(4), 351–79.
Aigen, K. (2005a). Philosophical inquiry. In B. L. Wheeler (Ed.), Music therapy research, (2nd ed., pp. 526-539). Barcelona.
Aigen, K. (2005b). Music-centered music therapy. Barcelona.
Aigen, K. (2014a). Client-therapist relationships in music therapy. In The study of music therapy: Current issues and concepts, pp. 107-188. Routledge.
Aigen, K. (2014b). Neurological science and music therapy. In The study of music therapy: Current issues and concepts, pp. 118-196. Routledge.
Aigen, K. (2015). A critique of evidence-based practice in music therapy. Music Therapy Perspectives, 33(1), 12–24. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miv013
Allison, K. L., & Rossouw, P. J. (2013). The therapeutic alliance: Exploring the concept of “safety” from a neuropsychotherapeutic perspective. International Journal of Neuropsychotherapy, 1(1), 21-29. https://doi.10.12744/ijnpt.2013.0021-0029
Acquadro, M. A., Congedo, M., & De, R. D. (2016). Music performance as an experimental approach to hyperscanning studies. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10, 242–242. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00242
Ardito, R. B., & Rabellino, D. (2011). Therapeutic alliance and outcome of psychotherapy: Historical excursus, measurements, and prospects for research. Frontiers in psychology, 2, 270. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00270
Baker, F. (2011). Facilitative neurological reorganization through music therapy: A case of melodic intonation therapy in the treatment of a person with aphasia. In A. Meadows (Ed.), Developments in music therapy practice: Case study perspectives (pp. 550-581). Barcelona.
Baker, F., Tamplin, J., & Kennelly, J. (2006). Music therapy methods in neurorehabilitation: a clinician's manual. J. Kingsley.
Baldini, L. L., Parker, S. C., Nelson, B. W., & Siegel, D. J. (2014). The clinician as neuroarchitect: the importance of mindfulness and presence in clinical practice. Clinical Social Work Journal, 42(3), 218–227. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1007/s10615-014-0476-3
Birnbaum, J. C. (2014). Intersubjectivity and Nordoff-Robbins music therapy. Music Therapy Perspectives, 32(1), 30–37. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miu004
Blood, A. J., Zatorre, R. J., Bermudez, P., & Evans, A. C. (1999). Emotional responses to pleasant and unpleasant music correlate with activity in paralimbic brain regions. Nature Neuroscience, 2(4), 382–7. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1038/7299
Bradt, J., Potvin, N., Kesslick, A., Shim, M., Radl, D., Schriver, E., Gracely, E. J., & Komarnicky-Kocher, L. T. (2015). The impact of music therapy versus music medicine on psychological outcomes and pain in cancer patients: a mixed methods study. Supportive Care in Cancer : Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 23(5), 1261–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2478-7
Bruscia, K. E. (2014). Relationships. In Defining music therapy (3rd ed., pp. 159-170). Barcelona.
Canadian Association of Music Therapists (2020). About music therapy. Retrieved December 11, 2020, from https://www.musictherapy.ca/about-camt-music-therapy/about-music-therapy/
Chanda, M. L., & Levitin, D. J. (2013). The neurochemistry of music. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(4), 179–193. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1016/j.tics.2013.02.007
Cole, M., & McLean, V. (2003). Therapeutic relationships re-defined. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 19(2), 33–56. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1300/J004v19n02_03
College of Nurses of Ontario. (2019). Therapeutic nurse-client relationship, revised 2006. https://www.cno.org/globalassets/docs/prac/41033_therapeutic.pdf
Cozolino, L. J. (2017). The neuroscience of psychotherapy: healing the social brain (3rd ed.). W.W. Norton.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior (Ser. Perspectives in social psychology). Plenum.
De l'Etoile, S. K., & LaGasse, A. B. (2013). Music therapy and neuroscience from parallel histories to converging pathways. Music Therapy Perspectives, 31(1), 6–14. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/31.1.6
Fachner, J. C. (2014). Communicating change – meaningful moments, situated cognition and music therapy: a response to north (2014). Psychology of Music, 42(6), 791–799. https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735614547665
Fachner, J. C. (2016). The future of research in music therapy and neuroscience. In Dileo, C. (Ed.), Envisioning the future of music therapy. pp. 139-148. Temple University.
Fachner, J. C., Maidhof, C., Grocke, D., Nygaard, P. I., Trondalen, G., Tucek, G., & Bonde, L. O. (2019). "Telling me not to worry…" hyperscanning and neural dynamics of emotion processing during guided imagery and music. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 1561–1561. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01561
Gardiner, J. C., & Horwitz, J. L. (2015). Neurologic music therapy and group psychotherapy for treatment of traumatic brain injury: evaluation of a cognitive rehabilitation group. Music Therapy Perspectives, 33(2), 193–201. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miu045
Greenberg, D. M., Decety, J., & Gordon, I. (2021). The social neuroscience of music: understanding the social brain through human song. The American Psychologist, 2021 Jun 10. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1037/amp0000819
Hernandez-Ruiz, E. (2005). Postmodernism and music therapy. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 5(3). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v5i3.230
Homann, K. B. (2010). Embodied concepts of neurobiology in dance/movement therapy practice. American Journal of Dance Therapy: Publication of the American Dance Therapy Association, 32(2), 80–99. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10465-010-9099-6
Horvath, A. O. (2005). The therapeutic relationship: research and theory: an introduction to the special issue. Psychotherapy Research, 15(1-2), 3–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503300512331339143
Hunt, A. M. (2015). Boundaries and potentials of traditional and alternative neuroscience research methods in music therapy research. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9. https://doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00342
Hunt, A. M. (2017a). Protocol for a neurophenomenological investigation of a guided imagery and music experience (Part I). Music and Medicine, 9(2), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v9i2.501
Hunt, A. M. (2017b). Protocol for a Neurophenomenological Investigation of a Guided Imagery and Music Experience (Part II). Music and Medicine, 9(2), 116-127. https://doi.org/10.47513/mmd.v9i2.572
Hunt, A. M., & Legge, A. W. (2015). Neurological research on music therapy for mental health: A summary of imaging and research methods. Music Therapy Perspectives, 33(2), 142–161. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/miv024
Keeler, J. R., Roth, E. A., Neuser, B. L., Spitsbergen, J. M., Waters, D. J., & Vianney, J. M. (2015). The neurochemistry and social flow of singing: bonding and oxytocin. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9, 518–518. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00518
Kim, J. (2016). Psychodynamic music therapy. Voices, 16. https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v16i2.882
Koelsch, S. (2009). A neuroscientific perspective on music therapy. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1169(1), 374–384. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04592.x
LaGasse, A. B., Manning, R. C. B., Crasta, J. E., Gavin, W. J., & Davies, P. L. (2019). Assessing the impact of music therapy on sensory gating and attention in children with autism: a pilot and feasibility study. Journal of Music Therapy, 56(3), 287–314. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thz008
Levitin, D. J. (2013). Neural correlates of musical behaviors a brief overview. Music Therapy Perspectives, 31(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/31.1.15
Loewy, J. V. (2005). Guest editorial: the role of the music therapist in music therapy. Music Therapy Perspectives, 23(1), 5–7. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/23.1.5
Magee, W. (1999). Music therapy within brain injury rehabilitation: to what extent is our clinical practice influenced by the search for outcomes? Music Therapy Perspectives, 17(1), 20–26. https://doi.org/10.1093/mtp/17.1.20
Magee, W. L., & O'Kelly, J. (2015). Music therapy with disorders of consciousness: current evidence and emergent evidence‐based practice. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1337(1), 256-262. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12633
Magee, W. L., & Stewart, L. (2015). The challenges and benefits of a genuine partnership between music therapy and neuroscience: A dialog between scientist and therapist. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9, 223–223. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00223
Marks-Tarlow, T. (2014). The interpersonal neurobiology of clinical intuition. Smith College Studies in Social Work, 84(2-3), 219-236. https://doi.org/10.1080/00377317.2014.923712
McPherson, M., & Limb, C. J. (2013). Difficulties in the neuroscience of creativity: jazz improvisation and the scientific method. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1303(1), 80–83. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1111/nyas.12174
Mössler K, Gold, C., Aßmus, J., Schumacher, K., Calvet, C., Reimer, S., Iversen, G., & Schmid, W. (2019). The therapeutic relationship as predictor of change in music therapy with young children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(7), 2795–2809. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-017-3306-y
O’Kelly, J. (2016). Music therapy and neuroscience: Opportunities and challenges. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 16. https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v16i2.872
O'Kelly, J., Fachner, J. C., & Tervaniemi, M. (2016). Editorial: Dialogues in music therapy and music neuroscience: Collaborative understanding driving clinical advances. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10, 585–585. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00585
O'Kelly, J., & Magee, W. L. (2013). Music therapy with disorders of consciousness and neuroscience: The need for dialogue. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 22(2), 93–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2012.709269
Palmadottir, G. (2006). Client-therapist relationships: Experiences of occupational therapy clients in rehabilitation. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 69(9), 394–401. https://doi.org/10.1177/030802260606900902
Panebianco, C. & Lotter, C. (2019). Shifting ‘stuckness’ in Parkinson’s disease: a music therapy case study. Journal of the Musical Arts in Africa, 16:1-2, 77-97. https://10.2989/18121004.2019.1700618
Pasiali, V. (2014). Music therapy and attachment relationships across the life span. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 23(3), 202-223. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2013.829863
Pellitteri, J. (2009). Emotional processes in music therapy. Barcelona.
Peres, J., & Nasello, A. G. (2008). Psychotherapy and neuroscience: Towards closer integration. International Journal of Psychology, 43(6), 943-957. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207590701248487
Priestley, M. (1994). The therapist-patient relationship. In Essays on analytical music therapy. (1st ed., pp. 67-77). Barcelona.
Quiros, L., Kay, L., Montijo, A.M. (2012). Creating emotional safety in the classroom and in the field. In Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 18(2), 42–47. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/12
Rolvsjord, R. (2010). The therapeutic relationship. In Resource-oriented music therapy in mental health care (pp. 214-257). Barcelona.
Rolvsjord, R. (2016). Five episodes of clients' contributions to the therapeutic relationship: a qualitative study in adult mental health care. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 25(2), 159–184. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1080/08098131.2015.1010562
Ruud, E. (1998). Music therapy : improvisation, communication, and culture. Barcelona.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Intrinsic and extrinsic motivations: classic definitions and new directions. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 25(1), 54–67. https://doi.org/10.1006/ceps.1999.1020
Sale, M. V., Ridding, M. C., & Nordstrom, M. A. (2008). Cortisol inhibits neuroplasticity induction in human motor cortex. The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 28(33), 8285–93. https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1963-08.2008
Scaer, R. C. (2005). The trauma spectrum: hidden wounds and human resiliency. Norton.
Särkämö T, Altenmüller E, Rodríguez-Fornells A, & Peretz, I. (2016). Editorial: music, brain, and rehabilitation: emerging therapeutic applications and potential neural mechanisms. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 10, 103–103. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00103
Schore, A. (2000). Attachment and the regulation of the right brain. Attachment & Human Development, 2(1), 23–47.
Schore, A. N. (2003). Affect regulation & the repair of the self (1st ed., Ser. Norton series on interpersonal neurobiology). W.W. Norton.
Schore, J. R., & Schore, A. N. (2008). Modern attachment theory: The central role of affect regulation in development and treatment. Clinical social work journal, 36(1), 9-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-007-0111-7
Sena Moore, K., & LaGasse, A. B. (2018). Parallels and divergence between neuroscience and humanism: considerations for the music therapist. Music Therapy Perspectives, 36(2), 144–151. https://doi-org.lib-ezproxy.concordia.ca/10.1093/mtp/miy011
Shoemark, H., Hanson-Abromeit, D., & Stewart, L. (2015). Constructing optimal experience for the hospitalized newborn through neuro-based music therapy. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9(September). https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00487
Siegel, D. J. (2015). Interpersonal neurobiology as a lens into the development of wellbeing and resilience. Children Australia, 40(2), 160-164.https://doi.org/10.1017/cha.2015.7
Siegel, D. J. (2019). The mind in psychotherapy: An interpersonal neurobiology framework for understanding and cultivating mental health. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 92(2), 224-237. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12228
Siponkoski, S. T., Koskinen, S., Laitinen, S., Holma, M., Ahlfors, M., Jordan-Kilkki, P., Ala-Kauhaluoma, K., Martínez-Molina N, Melkas, S., Laine, M., Ylinen, A., Zasler, N., Rantanen, P., Lipsanen, J., & Särkämö T. (2021). Effects of neurological music therapy on behavioural and emotional recovery after traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled cross-over trial. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 1-33, 1–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2021.1890138
Stegemöller, E. L. (2014). Exploring a neuroplasticity model of music therapy. Journal of Music Therapy, 51(3), 211–227. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/thu023
Stige, B. (2002). Culture-centered music therapy. Barcelona.
Stige, B. (2012). Notes on culture-centered music therapy: evolution, emerging practices, and embodied meanings. In K.E. Bruscia (Ed.), Readings on music therapy theory (pp. 3780-4080). Barcelona.
Stige, B & Stand, R. (2016). Philosophical inquiries. In K.M. Murphy & B.L. Wheeler (Eds.), Music Therapy Research, (3rd ed., pp. 3,902-3,978). Barcelona.
Taylor, D. B. (2010). Biomedical foundations of music as therapy (2nd ed.). Barton Publications.
Thaut, C. (2015) Neurologic music therapy. In B. L.Wheeler (Ed.). Music therapy handbook (pp. 220-232). Guilford Press.
Thaut, M., & Hoemberg, V. (2014). Handbook of neurologic music therapy. (1st ed.). Oxford University Press.
Thaut, M. H., & McIntosh, G. C. (2014). Neurologic music therapy in stroke rehabilitation. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports, 2(2), 106-113.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-014-0049-y
Thaut, M., Mcintosh, Gerald C., & Hoemberg, V. (2015). Neurobiological foundations of neurologic music therapy: rhythmic entrainment and the motor system. Frontiers in Psychology, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01185
Tomaino, C. M. (2012). Effective music therapy techniques in the treatment of non-fluent aphasia. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1252(1), 312–317. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2012.06451.x
Tomaino, C. M. (2013). Creativity and improvisation as therapeutic tools within music therapy. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1303(1), 84-86. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12224
Tomaino, C. M. (2015). Music therapy and the brain. In Wheeler, B. L. (Ed.). Music therapy handbook (pp. 40-50). Guilford Press.
Weller, C. M., & Baker, F. A. (2011). The role of music therapy in physical rehabilitation: a systematic literature review. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 20(1), 43–61. https://doi.org/10.1080/08098131.2010.485785
World Federation of Music Therapy Movies. (2013, April 21). Building bridges between music neuroscience and music therapy (2009) [video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klkWbS7Doaw&ab_channel=WFMTMovies
Wheeler, B. L. (2014). Music in psychosocial training and counselling. In Thaut, M. & Hoemberg, V. (Eds.), Handbook of Neurologic Music Therapy, (1rst ed., pp. 331-361). Oxford University Press.
Wheeler, B. L. & Bruscia, K. E. (2016). Overview of music therapy research. In K.M. Murphy & B.L. Wheeler (Eds.), Music Therapy Research, (3rd ed., pp. 90-135). Barcelona.
All items in Spectrum are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved. The use of items is governed by Spectrum's terms of access.

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads per month over past year

Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
- Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
Back to top Back to top