Thesis
A music therapy approach to grief: proposal of a community based music therapy grief support group
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Jun 2022
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001495
Abstract
Grief is becoming more widely understood and acknowledged for its potential to cause severe impairment when not appropriately processed or treated. However, there is a lack of clear agreement in the literature on symptomatology, diagnosis criteria and best practice for treatment, which lends itself naturally to an inherent gap in understanding and treatment options. Further, stigma and misconceptions of grief pervade society and contribute to the challenges faced by grieving individuals. This paper serves to provide a thorough review of grief literature including the natural grieving process, complicated grief diagnoses, current standard care treatments and the use of music therapy in addressing grief. Music therapy's role in grief work is yet to be fully understood but holds tremendous potential and is becoming a more widely recognized treatment modality for grief. Music therapy is highly adaptable, impacts the individual biologically, psychologically, and socially, and can be situated into an integrative approach. The purpose of this project was to design a program proposal integrating the most effective treatment approaches for grief found in the literature including cognitive behavioral therapy, group and community- based approaches, and bereavement counseling, into a community-based music therapy grief support group. The overall wellness of our society could benefit greatly from a treatment designed to educate and support individuals through the process and processing of grief, especially if we were to adopt a proactive approach, and this proposed program is one potential option.
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Details
- Title
- A music therapy approach to grief
- Creators
- Grace Dalsey O'Donnell
- Contributors
- Florence Ierardi (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vii, 45 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991020220850204721