Piano Improvisation: A Therapeutic Tool in Acceptance and Resolution of Emotions in a Schizo-Affective Personality

Abstract

Describes the use of piano improvisation as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of a 26-yr-old female schizophrenic paranoid with avoidance personality. Piano improvisation was used as a supportive expansion of S's nonverbal statements and a means of providing an opportunity for growth of the healthy elements of S's personality. The roles of music and of the therapist, and S's psychological history and initial group music therapy experience, are discussed. A month-by-month description of S's individual treatment is provided to illustrate phases of respect and support, labeling of emotions, musical expression of negative emotion, verbal expression of negative feelings and problem solving, beginning insight, and new levels of acceptance and resolution. S made a transition from using her consonant music as safety music; as her tolerance increased, the time she needed to support herself through consonance decreased. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)