Drumming with Intimate Partner Violence Clients: Getting into the Beat; Therapists' Views on the Use of Drumming in Family Violence Treatment Groups

Abstract

This case study investigated therapists' perspectives on the value of using drumming, along with other percussion instruments, as therapeutic tools in intimate partner violence treatment groups. Descriptive content analysis revealed that group facilitators perceived drumming as a useful method to: foster group cohesion and cooperation, help clients with a passive communication style become more involved in group work, facilitate client emotional expression, as well as offer clients a way to experience active relaxation and engagement in the group process. An overview of the purpose, techniques and recommendations associated with using therapeutic drumming in a family violence treatment group program are discussed.