Some Thoughts on Music, Therapy, and Music Therapy

Abstract

This article discusses points raised by Streeter's article ‘Finding a Balance between Psychological Thinking and Musical Awareness in Music Therapy Theory – a Psychoanalytic Perspective’ (Streeter 1999). Whilst agreeing that ‘psychological thinking’ is essential for the therapist fully to understand and contain the processes in the therapy room, it considers how music itself can bring about integral change within the therapy process. This is considered in terms of more recent developments in psychoanalysis and analytical psychology, as well as from an aesthetic perspective. Finally, it warns of the danger of moving from one ‘absolutist’ position to another within music therapy, and suggests that we as a profession need to be open to listening and learning from a wide range of disciplines, and from each other, in order to enrich our work.