Towards a state of play: A case study exploring insight-oriented musical experiences with a woman with severe brain injury

Swaney, Maybelle

doi:10.1177/1359457519841906

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 46 publications

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“…Conversations I initiated with music therapists in Aotearoa New Zealand suggest that practitioners do think relationally or even holistically about safety in their work, but I was unable to discern a common language used to communicate about these issues. 14 Reading reflective practitioner writing, however, helped me to make many connections with my own experiences on placement (Chen, 2019;Halligan, 2013;Swaney, 2018). Texts which alluded to 'safe space' provided a wide range of perspectives which supported my ability to critically reflect on my practice.…”

Section: Ethics and Safetymentioning

confidence: 99%

Creating space to grow: Exploring the concept of 'safe space' through music therapy practice in a residential service for people with neurological disabilities.

Langham

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<p>This arts-informed practitioner action research project began with the question “how can an exploration of the concept of ‘safe space’ enrich my music therapy practice?” The context for this research was a residential facility for adults with disabilities, many of which had a neurological origin. I was part of this community as a music therapy student for one day per week for nine months during a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected individual and collective wellbeing. Through three cycles of action and reflection in the second half of my placement, I used a variety of approaches to understand the contestable concept of ‘safe space.’ I used my discoveries to inform my music therapy practice. Reflexive thematic analysis was used at the end of each cycle and to integrate the work as a whole. The research process provided a framework for generating rich and diverse insights about my emerging practice as a music therapist where I aim to co-create ‘space to grow’ with other participants. I questioned the language of ‘safe space’ in relation to more holistic concepts of health, safety, hauora (holistic wellbeing), āhurutanga (interpersonal warmth) and hospitality. I explored the importance of addressing the ecological and geographical aspects of ‘space’ when seeking to create optimal conditions for therapeutic growth. I discovered the value of metaphor as a therapeutic tool and as a way of describing my practice. I developed the metaphor of an ecotone, an ecological transitional zone, in relation to findings about the importance of structure, diversity, and the value of musicking together. I found that music therapy can purposefully and creatively promote social bonding even in environments experiencing substantial tension.</p>

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Section: Ethics and Safetymentioning

confidence: 99%

Creating space to grow: Exploring the concept of 'safe space' through music therapy practice in a residential service for people with neurological disabilities.

Langham

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Towards a state of play: A case study exploring insight-oriented musical experiences with a woman with severe brain injury

Cited by 1 publication

References 46 publications

Creating space to grow: Exploring the concept of 'safe space' through music therapy practice in a residential service for people with neurological disabilities.

Creating space to grow: Exploring the concept of 'safe space' through music therapy practice in a residential service for people with neurological disabilities.

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