Music and Imagery for Children with Serious Illness

As many of you who are familiar with Music Therapy know, there are many techniques and models used within session. As a Music Therapist, I love having such a variety of effective tools as options. Examples of these are music and movement, music and relaxation, active listening, song analysis, song writing, creating music, music and imagery, instrumental improvisation, among others. Having so many tools is one way in which Music Therapy is able to cater to the specifics of a client.

One technique sometimes used in MT has to do with combining music with imagery. Many Music Therapists use basic forms of this, however, there is a whole other level of music and imagery called Guided Imagery in Music in which a Music Therapist can get special training in, and can then specialize in GIM.

Many therapies not only use the imagery technique, but often will encourage this for use outside of therapy as well. Of course, like with any technique implemented, it is important to first learn how to correctly and effectively understand and implement the technique.

I have in my collection of resources a wonderful book called Healing Images for Children by Nancy Klein, M.A.. I mention and list this book in the Recommended Resources section of my website, but wanted to go into a little further detail today.

This is book is geared toward children facing cancer and other serious illnesses. I have found it very useful in use with these children as well as children who are facing other scenarios. Children who are facing scenarios where they need a new perspective on a situation, need to feel empowerment in a situation, need to find a 'safe place', need a method for coping, etc have benefited from this.

This book is full of mini stories with themes. There are categories of stories which are based around a specific medical/hospital scenario such as routine procedures. For example, some of the story categories in this book are: Stories About Taking Medicine, Stories About Radiation Therapy, and Stories About Surgery. Other categories are a little more broad and can relate to children without medically based needs/characteristics. These story categories include: Stories about Relaxation, Stories to Help You Fall Asleep, Stories for Helping with Painful Sensations, Stories About Taking Medicine.

Each story has a specific point of focus included with it (typically repeated throughout the story) such as in the story entitled Paintbrush in which the point of focus is, "I can brush away pain."

Using the proper music alongside these stories is very important. We know that music can have a profound effect on us mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and so on. It is with this in mind that we must realize that music is made up of various components that lead to the type of influence it may have on a person. When choosing music for our own selves, it is easier to determine whether or not the music is having the desired effect because, for example, I know what type of music "makes me feel relaxed". However, choosing music to elicit a certain response/have a certain effect on another person is a little more complicated. You may not interpret a piece of music the same way that I do. There are things to consider such as tempo, key, genre, bpm, tempo and key changes, dynamics, and so on and so forth. There was a time when people assumed that if the music was classical, it was automatically good for relaxation. However, this is not always the case. Be sure to consult with your Music Therapist first. He or she will be able to aid you with this.

Ooooh! I apologize for such a long blog- can you tell I love this book?!

Have a great weekend!

Jessica

NOTE: Jessica Grooms is in no way responsible or involved in your ordering process of any materials recommended or listed here. Ordering materials is done independently by you.