Author
Introduction: Recent bereavement literature has identified music therapy as a promising treatment model for bereaved children and adolescents. In 2011 the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Music Therapy (MT) Department conducted a research project investigating the impact of creative therapies on young people's bereavement.
Objectives: The project aimed to better understand the impact of Music and Art therapy on these families' experience of bereavement.
Approach: The children received weekly or fortnightly music therapy or art therapy sessions in either a group or individual context and involved a range of methods including active music making, songwriting, improvisation, drawing, collage, memory making and murals. Qualitative data was collected through semistructured interviews with the children's parent/primary caregiver.
Practice Implications: As this research was conducted in clinical practice, some valuable insights were gained into the challenges of researching in the clinical field (v)
Conclusions: This research validates the use of music and art therapy as a catalyst for emotional expression. Further research is recommended to deepen understanding of the unique facets of music and art therapy and how this impacts young people's bereavement.
- Julia Oreopoulos1
- Calvary Health Care Bethlehem1
2014
ExcerptIntroduction: Recent bereavement literature has identified music therapy as a promising treatment model for bereaved children and adolescents. In 2011 the Calvary Health Care Bethlehem Music Therapy (MT) Department conducted a research project investigating the impact of creative therapies on young people's bereavement.
Objectives: The project aimed to better understand the impact of Music and Art therapy on these families' experience of bereavement.
Approach: The children received weekly or fortnightly music therapy or art therapy sessions in either a group or individual context and involved a range of methods including active music making, songwriting, improvisation, drawing, collage, memory making and murals. Qualitative data was collected through semistructured interviews with the children's parent/primary caregiver.
Practice Implications: As this research was conducted in clinical practice, some valuable insights were gained into the challenges of researching in the clinical field (v)
Conclusions: This research validates the use of music and art therapy as a catalyst for emotional expression. Further research is recommended to deepen understanding of the unique facets of music and art therapy and how this impacts young people's bereavement.