Digital Music Making: Developing a Method for Using Technology in Music Psychotherapy

Author

Sangeetha Kavety, Lesley UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-18-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Vivien Marcow Speiser

Abstract

The use of technology, specifically digital songwriting and music making, in the context of psychotherapy is a subject that is not yet as well researched or practiced in the field of music therapy. The majority of the existing literature acknowledges the assistive function that technology such as tablets, smartphones, and computers can play in treatment of populations with cognitive and motor difficulties. However, there is little regarding the use of technology as the main means of creating music, and even less in the context of treatment of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents in family settings. For this capstone project, I explored three interventions using digital music making, including a warm up, main activity, and cooldown activity, with three youths and their families as part of their In Home Therapy treatment. Upon analysis of my reflections, I learned that it indeed possible to use electronic music technologies as a primary means for implementing music therapy interventions using digital music making in order to help clients work toward achieving their clinical goals. This capstone project adds to the existing literature and provides some examples of interventions using digital music making that may inspire future clinicians to continue the process of exploration and perhaps establish the use of electronic music technologies as a professional competency.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Kavety, Sangeetha, "Digital Music Making: Developing a Method for Using Technology in Music Psychotherapy" (2019). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 194.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/194