Theme Song for Change: Utilizing Music to Enhance Client Resources

ABSTRACT Music has been used for therapeutic purposes in a variety of settings; however, family therapists have been hesitant to use musical interventions in their work, although they are curious about their use (Nemesh, 2017a). This hesitancy to use music in therapy may be because therapists might not be musically inclined or trained as credentialed music therapists. Yet, the inclusion of various aspects of music in therapy does not need to be complicated. This article explains a technique, called Theme Song for Change, that uses a client’s chosen theme song as a way to access underutilized resources that can help clients live more fulfilling lives. These resources are aspects of living, such as behaviors or personality traits, the client may not have been engaging in to the level where they find it useful. This technique has been used with individuals, couples, and families where clients consider important images and themes from the lyrics of their chosen song. These themes pertain to values and practices related to their identity they may not have been honoring in their lives. These values, practices, and meanings are personal resources that can be accessed and utilized to enhance the client’s life. The rationale, application, and implications of this technique will be discussed along with brief case examples of its use with an individual, a couple, and a family.