Music therapy is an interdisciplinary profession that serves as a bridge between science and art.
There are many definitions for music therapy:
The Australian Music Therapy Association has defined it as
"a research-based allied health profession in which music is used to actively support people as they aim to improve their health, functioning and well-being. It can help people of all ages to manage their physical and mental health and enhance their quality of life".
American Music Therapy Association writes:
"Music therapy is the use of music to achieve therapeutic goals: preserving, maintaining and improving mental and physical health. It is the systematic application of music under the guidance of the music therapist in a therapeutic environment in order to bring about desired changes in behavior. These changes allow the patient to experience a greater understanding of himself and the world outside of him and, as a result, a better adaptation to the environment."
The Israeli Association for Creative and Expressive Therapy defines arts therapy as:
"A general name for a profession in medical services that deals with creative and expressive processes in the arts in order to treat mental difficulties. It is an emotional therapy that harnesses the healing power of the arts in order to flex patterns of protection, cultivate mental strength and strengthen adaptability."
In order to use music and vocal psychotherapy, there is no need for innate talent or prior knowledge and experience in the arts.
I believe wholeheartedly in therapy that incorporates music; In particular, the use of voice to connect the patient to deep layers of the psyche.
When I went to standard psychotherapy, in the course of which I just talked about things (this was of course very important) but often the discourse remained in the realm of intellect and cognition only. I was able to talk about painful topics – but remained detached from my emotions. In order for there to be a significant change, one must also connect to emotion.
On the other hand, when integrating voice, music or other artistic means into the process of therapy, it is impossible to remain disconnected from emotion. Art instantly connects us to our subconscious and our emotions. These connections accelerate the process of personal growth and enable understanding, and finding creative solutions which we would not otherwise reach.
Sometimes it is difficult for us to talk about painful topics, the trauma overwhelms us and there is a feeling that there is no end to the pain. The use of music and voice makes it possible to transform the pain and turn it, for example, into a healing song, with a beginning, middle and end. From an overwhelming and intrusive initial experience, we move on to a beneficial experience with clear boundaries and internal aesthetics. This, of course, is accompanied by the containment and attachment of the therapist who helps the patient keep things together.
The Vagus nerve takes an active part in balancing the nervous system in situations of emotional overload and entry of the body into a state of
FFF : Fight Flight Freeze.
PTSD occurs when the body and mind enter the state of freeze.
When we sing, we put the vagus nerve into action and help regulate the nervous system. In this way, we reduce the possibility of PTSD. If we have already been diagnosed with PTSD - singing can help us cope with the symptoms and eventually, hopefully, and with the help of other means, free ourselves from the trauma.
After completing my master's degree in music therapy, I wrote my thesis on vocal work with people diagnosed with PTSD. I focused on why using voice is so effective in these situations. People who have experienced trauma often have difficulty breathing or have shallow breathing. Also, many testify that they feel disconnected from their body and do not feel comfortable in their own body. Singing connects us to our body and breath in a natural, safe and beneficial way.
Our voice is the personal musical instrument with which we were born. Singing is one of the most effective ways to connect with inner emotions, associations, and images.
Using our voice allows us to connect to ourselves and to others. When our breathing is not free, our voice does not reach its full potential and the various emotions remain hidden within the body.
In Manhattan, I studied with Professor Diane Austin, who developed a unique method for the use of the voice in music therapy. Diane created the Vocal Psychotherapy method as well as the Vocal holding technique & free associative singing technique.
I had the privilege of studying with Diane personally for about 3 years and she has had a profound impact on my work as a therapist.
The work of Lisa Sokolov and Sylvia Nakash, as well as Paul Newham's voice and movement therapy method, further inspired me.
In recent years I have been working in special education schools and also with those special needs children integrated into regular schools. These are children and adolescents who experience emotional difficulties. Some are diagnosed with multisystem learning disabilities
or with other diagnoses.
I also meet with functioning, normative adults in my private practice. Usually these are people who got tired of just talking about the challenges in their lives and are interested in connecting to the creative forces within them.
In the past, I have conducted music therapy sessions in the homes of elderly people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's.
I did my internship, as mentioned, in the field of psychiatry. I have extensive experience working with people suffering from a variety of emotional difficulties including depression, anxiety, childhood trauma and PTSD. I have been a member of the Association of Expression and Creative Therapists in Israel Yahat since 2004.
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