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| Ben's Story | ||
| Ben is a ten-year-old boy who is undertaking a re-introduction programme back into mainstream schooling having been previously expelled. He was referred to music therapy primarily as a way of managing anger. The music therapy sessions are conducted at the same time and day each week for a half an hour duration, unless Ben chooses to end the session earlier. The most important element of the work with Ben was establishing a good relationship. Ben was very reluctant to attend and he displayed resistance by refusing to engage in communication with the therapist other than writing ‘yes' and ‘no' answers to questions on a white board. |  | |
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| Over a period of time a relationship began to develop based on trust as Ben realised that the therapist had no expectations of him and that he could simply be himself. As Ben's resistance lowered music was able to be introduced to the sessions. At first the therapist brought in recordings of songs which Ben had said that he liked to listen to, this showed Ben that the therapist listened and valued what was important to him. Ben began to talk about the songs and associations that he held with them. In time he also became interested in the musical instruments that were on offer and the focus in the sessions shifted to engaging in drum playing. This provided Ben with a means of self-expression. Games were introduced which required the use of skills such as listening or turn-taking. The nature of the therapy is that it follows Ben's needs at the time. As such one week can be vastly different to the next based on how Ben is feeling or what he needs to express. | ||
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