A comparative analysis of the philosophical underlying Creative Music Therapy and Analytical Music Therapy

Abstract

This article describes Creative Music Therapy and Analytical Music Therapy and examines the philosophical premises underlying each model of improvisational music therapy. Comparisons are made in terms of what constitutes health or wellness and pathology (intrapersonal, interpersonal and transpersonal) and dynamics of therapy (focus, role of music, client-therapist relationship and client-music relationship). This comparative analysis proposes that these two models of improvisational music therapy represent distinctly different paradigms. It is argued that each model works with different premises about the individual and the goal of therapy. Furthermore, each places a different emphasis on the role of music in therapy.

Keywords: analytical music therapy; creative music therapy; philosophy

Citation

Hadley, S. (1999).  comparative analysis of the philosophical underlying Creative Music Therapy and Analytical Music Therapy. Australian Journal of Music Therapy, 10, 3-19.