Читать книгу The Creative Arts in Counseling - Samuel Gladding T., Samuel T. Gladding - Страница 61

Poetic lyrics add to the rhythm message of music, although their impact varies (A. White, 1985). Lyrics often extend an understanding of what is important in clients’ lives (C. O’Callaghan & Grocke, 2009). For example, adolescents are often influenced by the lyrics of rock songs. Such lyrics are detrimental when they are sexually explicit, violent, or exploitive in nature (Edwards & Mullis, 2001; L. Ray et al., 1988). However, lyrics and music may be combined in a prosocial way, such as those by popular music artists like Whitney Houston and her song “The Greatest Love of All,” Don Henley and “Heart of the Matter,” or Bette Midler and “From a Distance.” Likewise, country performers such as Matraca Berg and Clint Black sing about growth through pain and convey a positive view of change in such songs as “I Must Have Been Crazy” and “Walkin’ Away.” These works sensitize listeners to words that promote the best within and between persons. They provide “a nonthreatening device to stimulate . . . interaction” (Mazza, 1986, p. 297). It is important that counselors who use music with lyrics listen carefully to the words as well as the melody of songs before advocating that clients try using the recordings therapeutically.

When music and lyrics are packaged together, the way they are expected to be handled therapeutically should be made clear. For example, an inspirational tape, such as Nancy Day’s (1989) Survivor, which focuses on surviving and recovering from sexual abuse, may be one that counselors want clients to hear at specific times of the day when they are likely to feel discouraged or depressed. Likewise, If You Believe in You, an audiotape by Dan Conley (1994), which describes the mixture of feelings derived from divorce, contains materials that should be used selectively. By prescribing music in this manner, counselors increase the chances of clients being influenced therapeutically. The developmental stages of people and families along with gender, ethnicity, age, and roles must be considered in the process. Some music and lyrics are more appropriate for certain populations at specific times in their lives.