Music therapists work with many clients who have chronic physical and mental health challenges. Anhedonia is a transdiagnostic symptom that has been strongly associated with chronic illnesses including depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s, and chronic pain. This symptom refers to the loss of pleasure in previously pleasurable things, and is often misdiagnosed as depression, but is not successfully treated by anti-depressants. Recent research by our group has demonstrated that music therapy can effectively reduce anhedonic symptoms, and it may be an important mediator of success in therapy.
This workshop will explore how music therapists address both pleasure and pain in music therapy, drawing on Prof. McFerran’s research into ‘Healthy and Unhealthy Uses of Music’ and with an extension to Musical Pleasure. The implications for practice are related to choosing music / songs in music therapy for pleasure, emotional resonance, nostalgia, aesthetics and identity work. This will be explored experientially and draw on participants’ experiences in practice, as well as demonstrating the new method from our research.