Musically Elicited Images as Unique Clinical Data during the Process of Group Analysis with Traumatized Adults

Musically Elicited Images as Unique Clinical Data during the Process of Group Analysis with Traumatized Adults

Ahonen-Eerikainen, Heidi (2004)

Abstract

This paper will discuss the clinical use of musically elicited images – the referential imagery brought up either by therapeutic music listening or clinical improvisation, and created during music therapy. Clinical abstracts of group analytic music therapy will be presented to highlight the reconstruction of traumatic experiences and to illustrated the function of musically elicited images as visualized metaphorical condensations of client’s ideas and feelings. The analysis of these images provides a unique opportunity for insight and integration. They connect the client into his/her feeling self, bring up associations, and help to provide a window into events and feelings, which might otherwise be closed. My theoretical approach is based on the psychoanalytical group analytic theories (Foulkes, 1964, 1990, Foulkes & Anthony, 1990) and self-psychological aspects (Harwood 1988ab). The model of the mind that serves as a frame of reference for the coments that comprise the remainder of this paper draws mainly on Freyd (1900), Dowling (1987), Eisnitz (19878), Gillman (1987), Ornstein (19878), Pines (1988, 1996, 2003), Rangell (1987), and Rothsein (1987)

Citation:

Ahonen-Eerikainen, Heidi (2004) Musically Elicited Images as Unique Clinical Data during the Process of Group Analysis with Traumatized Adults. British Journal of Music Therapy. Vol. 18/1, 24‑29.