Music therapy by improvisation and the use of musical psychodrama in therapy of anxiety - a case study
Music therapy by improvisation and the use of musical psychodrama in therapy of anxiety - a case study

Summary/Abstract: Background: Adolescence, a transitional period in the life of any individual is often assimilated to a stage of psychobiological crisis in which anxiety disorder and mood disorders are frequently diagnosed. In the current pandemic context, in which distance and social isolation have changed the lifestyle of individuals, the social relationships of teenager indispensable for shaping future social identity have suffered, also. The uncertainty of the present period is projected also on the choice of adolescents' career, through the negative impact in terms of image and self-esteem. Consequently, anxiety reaches high levels, with direct reference in this case to performance anxiety. Method: The mode of exposure chosen in this paper is the case study. The case of a 17-year-old girl diagnosed with anxiety disorder and impaired self-image is presented. The material used was selected from the clinical case notes. The intervention materialized in 10 therapy sessions with a weekly frequency, falling into the category of short-term therapy. The intervention method was eclectic built on a core of clientcentered therapy in which we combined music therapy by improvisation and psychodrama with relaxation and Ericksonian therapy techniques. The peculiarity of the case consists in the fact that the client is a student at the Art High School, she has been singing since the age of 7 and she wants to pursue a career in the artistic field. Results: At the end of the ten therapy sessions I found a decrease in anxiety, an improvement in self-image and an improvement in family relationships. Conclusions: The integration of music therapy based on improvisation combined with psychodrama in the register of psychological intervention instruments in a client with artistic concerns played an important role in the psychotherapeutic process improving the results per se but also in terms of facilitating the establishment of the therapeutic relationship.

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