Freeing the Voice Within through Guided Imagery and Music

This paper presents the case study of a 38-year-old female, Joy, and her Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) process. Joy was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Canada in 2008 to pursue further studies along with her husband. Joy is a music educator who was drawn to GIM to explore issues with her parents, husband, anxiety and stress in order to lead her to improved well-being and healing. This paper provides the relevant background information on GIM, and several important topics in Joy\u27s therapeutic process, including: gender issues being raised in Hong Kong, effects of parental gambling on child development, identity development, and performance anxiety. Joy desired focus and longed for her inner voice to be freed. Joy also wanted to feel strong enough to assert her wishes as an Asian female in order to present herself authentically. GIM sessions provided Joy with the space to identify and explore her concerns, which led her to improved well-being and healing. GIM is a music psychotherapy intervention that is particularly well suited to work with music educators and musicians, due to their experience and connections to music

Sound Stimulation in Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease

Sound stimulation is an important approach to consider when working with patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Both music and other forms of sound stimulation can contribute to improved health and well-being and are often easily implemented in the long-term care (LTC) environment. This paper provides an overview of the two basic approaches to the use of sound with persons in LTC (music therapy and music medicine), as well as a discussion of considerations for implementing various types of sound stimulation in the LTC setting

Adding Music Therapy to the Care Plan

I have chosen to write a short editorial on a topic not often included at the forefront of palliative care; music therapy. At the launch of an important journal that encourages articles addressing quality of life, while offering an educational forum for healthcare professionals to maintain relevance, it seems fitting to raise a topic that does not receive adequate attention in many palliative care settings

Luba’s Theme

The following case study is of Luba, a 4 year old girl diagnosed with Tay-Sachs disease and her music therapy process. Foundational information on Tay-Sachs disease is provided alongside a discussion of anticipatory grieving, and the death of a child

Soothing Relaxation Journeys: Designing Evidence Based Music and Imagery Opportunities

This paper provides information on the creation of an original collection of music and imagery journeys based on the literature in oncology and palliative care. Background evidence is shared about music and relaxation, music relaxation in medical settings, and music and relaxation in oncology/hospice treatment. The development of the resource is illuminated with respect to principles that guided the design. The Journeys collection is a tool that can be used independently by persons experiencing a variety of issues including: anxiety, pain, stress, low self-esteem, and low mood, etcetera; as well as with groups when implemented by a healthcare professional. While the Journeys collection has been primarily developed for those receiving cancer care and palliative care, it has applications in a variety of settings for others in home, hospital, hospice, long-term care facilities and community centres; as well as for persons new to guided imagery and music

30 Amazing Years of the WFMT

In this issue of Music Therapy Today, I have chosen to write about the history and contributions the World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT) has made to grow the global awareness of music therapy as an art and science. This paper will provide readers with a brief history of the WFMT by highlighting its purpose, organization and important events from the past 30 years. Further information on projects undertaken by WFMT officers from 2011 forward will also be highlighted

Adding Music Therapy to the Care Plan

I have chosen to write a short editorial on a topic not often included at the forefront of palliative care; music therapy. At the launch of an important journal that encourages articles addressing quality of life, while offering an educational forum for healthcare professionals to maintain relevance, it seems fitting to raise a topic that does not receive adequate attention in many palliative care settings

Soothing Relaxation Journeys: Designing Evidence Based Music and Imagery Opportunities

This paper provides information on the creation of an original collection of music and imagery journeys based on the literature in oncology and palliative care. Background evidence is shared about music and relaxation, music relaxation in medical settings, and music and relaxation in oncology/hospice treatment. The development of the resource is illuminated with respect to principles that guided the design. The Journeys collection is a tool that can be used independently by persons experiencing a variety of issues including: anxiety, pain, stress, low self-esteem, and low mood, etcetera; as well as with groups when implemented by a healthcare professional. While the Journeys collection has been primarily developed for those receiving cancer care and palliative care, it has applications in a variety of settings for others in home, hospital, hospice, long-term care facilities and community centres; as well as for persons new to guided imagery and music