Date of Award

Spring 5-2-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies

Major

Expressive Therapies

First Advisor

Leticia Prieto Álvarez

Abstract

Professional musicians often experience various stressors brought on by perfectionist training routines, racial and gender disparities, and other occupational challenges. This thesis aims to inform music industry professionals, music educators, and mental health clinicians of the psychological and physiological struggles professional musicians experience with a focus on music performance anxiety (MPA) and music-induced harm (MIH). Findings from this literature review indicate that musicians who identify as BIPoC or female struggle more with mental health and their musician identities than white, male-identifying musicians. The published literature tends to explore treating musicians’ mental health with Western-rooted cognitive behavioral therapy and has under-explored how musicians may benefit intrinsically with music therapy. Eurocentric-therapy lacks cultural awareness and does not adapt to the intersectional identities and diverse needs of musicians. This thesis seeks to explore how to support musicians’ wellbeing with resource-oriented music therapy interventions such as guided imagery with music (GIM) and music-assisted progressive muscle relaxation. Findings revealed that music therapy methods are as effective as traditional cognitive behavioral methods among musicians. I argue that resource-oriented music therapy can foster musicians’ efficacy to access and process their feelings and stressors through musical expression.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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