Smeijsters, H. (2005). Sounding the self: Analogy in improvisational music therapy. Gilsum, NH: Barcelona Publishers. 214 pages, ISBN 1-891278-22-3. $42.00

Abstract

Smeijsters, H. (2005). Sounding the self: Analogy in improvisational music therapy. Gilsum, NH: Barcelona Publishers. 214 pages, ISBN 1-891278-22-3. $42.00. In his latest book, Henk Smeijsters tackles the fundamental question of the meaning of the music in music therapy and what it is about the music therapy process that renders it a therapeutic medium capable of facilitating positive growth and change. To do so, he takes the reader on a journey of discovery leading to his concept of analogy, which he presents as a foundational proposition in the development of a general theory of music therapy. Based on the premise that musical processes are analogies of psychological processes and that meaning is sounded in the musical structure, Smeijsters draws upon Daniel Stern's concepts of vitality effects to explain how forms of feelings can be directly connected to perceptual forms. Stern defined these feeling shapes as, for example, surging, fading away, fleeting, explosive, crescendo, decrescendo, bursting, and drawn out (p. 69). In essence, when a person his or her Self, there is a connection between the musical expression and the person's intra and interpersonal processes. Thus, in Smeijsters's view, music exerts power on one's psyche because it sounds our inner beings and our connection to the world, articulating both the conscious and unconscious parts of our soul. Music therapy occurs when psychological processes are changed by means of musical processes. This theory is the culmination of years of theoretical inquiry and naturalistic case study research from a number of different points of view, much like the technique of triangulation in qualitative research. The author examined the single case studies of his own clients and those of other music therapists, he considered the ideas expressed in dialogues with colleagues, and he analyzed his qualitative research case studies and those of his colleagues. In addition, Smeijsters examined his theory from a heuristic point of view. The author revealed his personal struggle with depression which brought him to a precipice many years ago, and he described how the vitality effects he heard in Eric Clapton's Brown Sugar suddenly allowed him to connect to his own strength in the midst of exhaustion and burnout. By playing and listening to music that had similar vitality effects, Smeijsters began to heal his depression. Though he had not begun to develop the theory of analogy at this time, he experienced a phenomenon that he strove to understand by engaging in life-long research. Thus, he is well-placed both as a recipient and as a practitioner of music to understand the role of music in healing. In her foreword to this book, Carolyn Kenny refers to Smeijsters' spirit of collaboration as a guiding force. The values of collaboration and inclusion are evident in many of the chapters. Part I, Research and theory in music therapy, begins with an overview of research topics that have been developed during the last 20 years of music therapy practice while chapter 2 attempts to answer the questions: What treatment modalities are indicated for a particular problem, and How can criteria for treatment be developed? The author includes examples of the research procedure he followed to arrive at indications or treatments for specific behaviours related to specific disturbances, and he provides examples of approaches to the basic questions that he believes music therapists must try to answer in order to determine which treatment goals and procedures will optimize the client's health. Chapter 3 explores ideas presented by various colleagues concerning the development of a general theory in music therapy; the author critically reflects upon different points of view and explores concurrences and dissimilarities in a cross-analysis. Using peer debriefing, Smeijsters codes questions and statements to create a synthesis of categorical themes that serve as landmarks in the development of a general theory. …