Music and the Therapeutic Process

Sally was a nurse who had just begun working in a residential unit, situated in the grounds of a London hospital, for adults with long-term mental health problems. She was helping Rachel the music therapist, prepare for a weekly music therapy group to which five of the residents belonged. As they were setting out the instruments and Rachel was explaining to Sally how she could contribute to the session, another nurse, Monica, ran into the room. Laughing, she picked up a tambourine and started to beat a fast rhythmic pattern, dancing and crying ‘Hey Hey!’ in time to her playing. Sally and Rachel laughed too. Sally then asked ‘What is music therapy? What does it do?’

Rachel ...