Читать книгу The Creative Arts in Counseling - Samuel Gladding T., Samuel T. Gladding - Страница 66

Music has a long history as a healing art (Horden, 2017). Throughout human history, music has soothed or inspired individuals. It has been a major impetus in the prevention and treatment of major disorders and minor problems. It has allowed persons to communicate in a universal, nonverbal way that has promoted identity, bonding, creation, and discovery. As William L. Schurk, sound-recording archivist at Bowling Green State University, observed, music is “not a lonely art form” (Rosenblatt, 1991, p. B7). Rather, it involves vocal, physical, social, and emotional responses. “Applications include improvising, recreating, composing, listening, [and] game or play activities” (Bonny, 1997, p. 70).

In this chapter, the multiple ways music is used in counseling have been examined. Some professionals are music therapists, and other counselors use music in their therapeutic practice. Both types of individuals are helpful, but the backgrounds and emphases of these two groups differ. In music therapy, practitioners place greater emphasis on certain procedures with specific difficulties and populations. Individuals who obtain the designation of music therapist are more skilled in music than counselors who occasionally use music therapeutically. Regardless of the counselor’s designation, four ways that music may be used in counseling are through listening, performing, improvising, and composing. The choice of music in counseling depends on the needs of clients. Because music is so universal, it can be used appropriately with children, adolescents, adults, older persons, groups, families, people who are ill, and educators/supervisors. The various ways in which this medium can be used are limited only by the creativity and skills of practitioners. Music is often combined with poetry and with movement and dance to enhance its overall impact. In summary, music is a universal and versatile art that is of major importance to counselors who wish to promote catharsis, creativity, and communication abilities in a variety of clients and situations.