Date of Award
Spring 5-1-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
MA - Master of Arts
Department
Expressive Therapies
Advisor
Marisol Norris
Abstract
This paper describes a method of writing a short song of meaning with a group of adults with severe mental illness. To motivate patients to complete a song, the method explores combining improvisation and lyric writing with an element of meaningfulness within a single session. Adding improvisation is inspired by music-centered music therapy, where experiences of expression and connection take place in the music making. Resource-oriented music therapy influenced my providing choices for creative expression and recognizing different stages of song achievement. Literature shows reoccurring themes for music therapy, songwriting, and improvisation and drumming benefitting individuals with severe mental illness. These include expression, connection, and identity growth. Literature on the process of lyric writing and meaningfulness promotes the expression of emotions and the sharing of important experiences with others. Combining improvisation and lyric writing as expressive options with an element of meaningfulness may help maintain engagement for patients with severe mental illness long enough to complete a song. This method has implications for single-session mental health care servicing, as well as for music therapy interventions balancing verbal and non-verbal responses.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Hallas, Shari, "Songwriting a Short Song of Meaning with Adults with Severe Mental Illness: A Development of a Method" (2020). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 288.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/288
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