Ειδικό Τεύχος 9 (2) 2017 “Guided Imagery and Music: Σύγχρονες Ευρωπαϊκές προοπτικές και εξελίξεις” – Article (first published on 22 December 2017)
Searching for the unknown: A case study with a young woman suffering from music performance anxiety
Alice Pehk
Abstract
This case study is based on a psychodynamically-oriented music therapy service comprising 17 therapy sessions throughout 11 months with a 19-year-old woman suffering from music performance anxiety. The main therapy method used throughout this work was the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music which enabled to find, recognise and reactivate the client’s anxiety-producing experiences, to become conscious of them, to accept them, to work through them, and finally to integrate the new aspects and strengths that grew from these experiences into the client’s current life. The outcome of the therapy process shows its effectiveness in lowering performance anxiety and anxiety in general (measured before and after the therapy and during a six-month follow-up), decreasing psychosomatic problems as well as improving self-esteem and self-confidence, and a better sense of control.
Keywords
music performance anxiety, psychodynamics, Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (BMGIM), unconscious, fear of death
Biography
Alice Pehk, PhD, music therapist, BMGIM-therapist, supervisor, lecturer and creativity trainer. She is one of the pioneers of music therapy in Estonia. Alice is Head of Music Therapy training programme at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and lecturer at Tallinn University. Alice is the creator and Head of the Music Therapy Centre in Tallinn. She is a trainer and coach for organisations and institutions, providing creative music therapy methods within team-centred training programmes. She is the author of the TEAM-GIM method and of several publications about music therapy, BMGIM-therapy and the music effect, including a monograph in music therapy. Alice is Vice President of the European Music Therapy Confederation.
Email: alice.pehk@gim.ee