Prof Liesl van der Merwe and PhD graduate, Dr Petra Jerling, recently published an article titled “Clients’ experiences of Music and Imagery (MI) sessions: An integrative literature review” in Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy.
Music has the power to evoke deep emotions and help people process their thoughts and feelings. This study looked at how people experience a specific type of music therapy called Music and Imagery (MI). MI is a method where clients listen to music while imagining or visualising different images, often drawing their thoughts after the session. The goal is to help them explore emotions, gain self-awareness, and find personal strength.
To understand how MI impacts people, they reviewed 19 studies that included a total of 189 participants. These studies examined how people felt during and after MI sessions. Through careful analysis, they identified six key themes:
- Music as a catalyst for transformation — Many people felt that music helped them reflect on their lives, leading to personal growth and emotional breakthroughs.
- Emotional experiences — Some participants experienced strong emotions such as joy, sadness, or anger. Music allowed them to express feelings that were otherwise difficult to put into words.
- Strengths, acceptance, and self-awareness — Listening to music in MI sessions helped people recognise their inner strengths, accept their emotions, and better understand themselves.
- Affect regulation — MI helped individuals manage their emotions by either releasing built-up tension or calming their minds.
- Trust and feeling protected — Many participants felt safe and supported during MI, allowing them to open up emotionally and trust both the process and themselves.
- Connectedness — People often reported feeling more connected to themselves, others, nature, or even a spiritual presence after MI sessions.
Overall, their research shows that MI can be a valuable therapeutic tool, helping people navigate emotions, strengthen their sense of self, and feel more connected in their lives.
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Jerling, P., & Merwe, L. van der. (2024). Clients’ experiences of Music and Imagery (MI) sessions: An integrative literature review. Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy, 16(2), Article 2. https://doi.org/10.56883/aijmt.2024.32
