The Use of Lyric Analysis Interventions in Contemporary Psychiatric Music Therapy: Descriptive Results of Songs and Objectives for Clinical Practice

Information Sharing ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to identify songs psychiatric music therapists use during lyric analysis interventions and to identify the clinical objectives these clinicians address during lyric analysis interventions. A survey was emailed to all American Music Therapy Association members who identified themselves as working with the "Mental Health" population in the 2006 Member Sourcebook (AMTA, 2006). Results indicated little consistency for songs and objective areas. "Lean on Me" was reported as the most frequently used song while "change" was the most frequently cited clinical objective area. Respondents noted that they selected songs because of the issues presented in the lyrics and because the songs were personal favorites. The majority of respondents noted the listening medium was recorded music. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the low response rate of six percent (17 completed surveys). Suggestions for future research and implications for additional research, education, and clinical practice are provided. Songs often constitute an important aspect of music therapy as they can be used to address a clinical objective or topic area. Additionally, they can be employed to facilitate the building of therapeutic rapport and in thematic music therapy. Previous research has investigated the use of songs in therapeutic and educational contexts; researchers have compiled a list of songs for geriatric clients, specifically for singing activities. This repertoire list is of considerable value as it can be used to train student music therapists and treat music therapy consumers (VanWeelden & Cevasco, 2007). Another well-known study compared preservice music therapists' knowledge of geriatric songs with that of a geriatric sample (Prickett & Bridges, 2000). Additionally, a descriptive survey study was conducted on the use of original songs written by music therapists for use in clinical settings (Jones, 2006). Similarly, another article explored the relationship between diagnoses, musical preferences, and drug preferences in inpatient adolescents being treated for chemical dependency (Doak, 2003). Although no specific songs were mentioned in the study, the researcher did list many artists and musicians. In a study comparing the effects of different types of music therapy interventions on women in substance abuse rehabilitation (Cevasco, Kennedy, & Generally, 2005), the authors listed songs used in movement, rhythm, and competitive game interventions. Lyric analysis interventions are constructed from the lyrical components of songs and can make use of pre-existing songs or original songs lyrics composed during therapy sessions. Although there are a variety of methods for this approach (Freed, 1987), music therapists typically use active listening techniques to facilitate a dialogue based upon the lyrical content of the song with their consumers. The ensuing dialogue can then be structured to address a variety of clinical objectives, depending upon the specific needs of the clientele. Lyric analysis interventions are so commonly utilized that many of the objectives outlined in student training by Standley (2002) employ these techniques. Additionally, Standley included a discography by counseling topic section in this techniques book to help students identify songs meeting certain lyrical criteria. However, the author noted that few people actually use the suggested songs (Standley, personal communication, June 4, 2007). Lyric analysis interventions may be especially consequential in psychiatric music therapy. In a recent survey study, Silverman (2007a) found 61.8 % of psychiatric music therapists use lyric analysis interventions to address various types of consumer objectives. When compared to other types of interventions psychiatric music therapists employ, lyric analysis was the third most commonly used intervention, ranking behind improvisation (66. …