Music Therapy with Partially and Totally Blind Individuals and People with Multiple Handicaps Using Roberto Ghiozzi's Model of Humanistic Transformational Music Therapy

Authors:

Francesca Bresaola & Giulia Stola

Abstract:

This paper reports the experience of the authors at the “Cooperativa Luce e Lavoro” Day Centre (CEOD – or Day Educational and Vocational Centre) in Verona, Italy. The authors' work as music therapists within a project, that aims to develop the social-relational autonomy of its patients.
Two individual cases are described. The various music therapy sessions were filmed.

The research study was carried out in three stages:

·         a period of observation at the Day Centre while sharing moments of everyday work and recreational activity to establish a secure baseline;

·         periodical team meetings with the Centre's psychologist Dr. G. Albertoli, tutors and assistants to learn about various types of handicaps of the patients and relative observations;

·         music therapy sessions with groups of 2 or 3 individuals.
 

Using a specific procedure including different techniques of the Humanistic Transformational Music Therapy model, the patients were accompanied through a process of awareness and recognition of themselves, to eventually establish a communication bridge with others. In order to carry out these stages of therapy, it was important and indispensable to establish a significant empathetic relationship with each patient.

Main techniques used

·         By utilizing various senses, a partially blind and deaf patient with signs of autism experienced vibrations from musical instruments on their body;

·         A massage through sound vibrations conducted through the bones using sounds from a pentatonic Zither (Kantele) and various other musical instruments;

·         One totally blind patient with considerable difficulty in social relations managed to use timbres and rhythms of various intensity autonomously, sometimes being led.

·         Communication through sounds

Methods

·         Humanistic Transformational Music Therapy model

·         Clinical improvisation and listening to music

·         Use of sound vibrations at different frequencies and intensity

·         Massage with sound vibrations

Objectives

·         To develop listening and attention skills

·         To develop perceptive potential

·         To be able to form relationships

·         Communication

Results

·         Capacity to listen, interact and form relationships

·         Capacity to communicate through music parameters (keeping time, rhythm, energy, intensity)
 

Keywords:
music therapy and development of social-relational autonomy; communication; relationships
 

Biographical details:
Giulia Stola and Francesca Bresaola, musicians and music therapists received their Diploma in Music Therapy following a three-year CESFOR course in Bolzano, Italy. They are members of the Study and Research Group of the Experimental Model of Humanistic Transformational Music Therapy headed by Roberto Ghiozzi. They have gained expertise in working with comatose patients, post-comatose patients in rehabilitation and severely handicapped adults and children.