Singing for Healing and Hope: Music Therapy Methods that Use the Voice with Individuals Who Are Homeless and Mentally Ill

IntroductionSinging is the true mother tongue of all human beings, for it is the most natural and simplest way in which we are there undividedly and can open up our hearts - together with our experiences, our emotions, our hopes. (Menuhin, 1999, p.DThe purpose of this article is to identify and describe voicecentered music psychotherapy methods that can meet some of the diverse needs of individuals who are homeless and mentally ill. In so doing, I begin by describing some of the central problems encountered by this population. I then provide case examples that illustrate a range of interventions that I have developed and adapted. This article will discuss the benefits of a variety of music therapy methods that use the voice, such as vocal improvisation, group singing, individual singing, toning, and chanting, to meet some of the intricate needs of people who are homeless and mentally ill.Vocal music psychotherapy may benefit this population more than traditional verbal psychotherapy alone because of the unique benefits of using the voice in a therapeutic context. In the related field of drama therapy, researchers working with individuals who are homeless and mentally ill have demonstrated that, due to simple and preverbal structures, using sound and movement provides greater expression of feelings than verbal language alone (Golub et al., 1 993; Schnee, 1 996). Using movement and sound in drama therapy has been found to be highly effective for engaging people who are homeless and mentally ill, allowing them to express themselves more fully without needing to explain themselves verbally. This research on the effectiveness of movement and sound to meet the needs of these individuals may also lend itself to other creative arts therapies, such as music therapy. However, Shapiro's (2005) article about multicultural influences in music therapy is the only published music therapy literature specific to this population.Bruscia (1 998) defined psychotherapy as "a form of treatment for the psyche" (p. 1) and identified central goals of music psychotherapy as focusing on "self-expression, changes in emotions and attitudes, improved interpersonal skills, resolution of interpersonal problems, [and] development of healthy relationships" (p. 1). The methods discussed in this paper are rooted in a music psychotherapy approach, which focuses on psychosocial issues and the interpersonal process.Introduction to the CSS/CTP Program at the 30th Street Men's ShelterThe CSS/CTP Program at the 30th Street Men's Shelter is a 30-bed unit for men who are homeless and have a history of psychiatric illness. It is located in New York City, where as of fall 2010, 38,000 people were homeless (Markee, 2010). The vast majority of these individuals had a mental illness (Markee, 2010), which demonstrates the great need for effective treatment. The program is affiliated with Bellevue Hospital and is designed to help transition men who are homeless and mentally ill from inpatient hospitalization back into the community (Telson & Cuoco, 1 993). To be eligible for the unit, a client must have a history of homelessness, a history of an Axis I psychiatric disorder, and cannot have used alcohol or drugs within the past 30 days. The clients remain in the program for approximately 6 to 12 months while they are psychiatrically stabilized and until benefits and housing options are secured. Recent statistics show that 60% of individuals who are homeless have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, 1 5% have bipolar disorder I, and 1 % have depression (Ross & Gholston, 2006).Homeless and Mentally III: Identifying Therapeutic GoalsIndividuals who are homeless and mentally ill "are, in the most basic sense, victims. They are victims of their illnesses, which are serious, debilitating, and often painful conditions. They are victims of a society that stigmatizes them and frequently denies their humanity" (Bachrach, 1992, p. …