The Heart of the Matter

The Heart of the Matter invites therapists from all disciplines to consider the use of music and art in their work with families. It introduces systemic music and art ideas, giving clinical examples from practice, and a rationale for using each technique. Conversations with therapists who have explored and incorporated the techniques into their work are shared, and include both personal and professional responses to incorporating new methods in practice. Through a back drop of exploration into what creativity is, the history of the arts in therapy, and consideration of what happens when we use words, the case for music and art to be part of practice with families is presented. This book is more than a handbook of techniques; it explores who we are as therapists, our challenges and our resourcefulness, as we operate in multiple systems to bring about positive change.

Hilary Palmer is a Consultant Family & Systemic Psychotherapist and qualified music therapist, working for the NHS and in private practice in Surrey. Formerly a clinical lead in Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services in Berkshire, Hilary has worked across age ranges and began her career in the field of learning disability. Hilary completed her doctorate at the Tavistock, London, in 2014, researching the use of music and art for families receiving a service from CAMHS. The doctorate was a culmination of a career long interest in developing ideas and techniques which incorporate music and art into talking therapies.

Foreword; Introduction; 1. Beginnings - A Musical Journey with Alice Brown; 2. Foundations - Culture and Creativity; 3. Professional Contexts - Music and Art Therapy; 4. A Shared Humanity - Music, Words and the Mind; 5. Trying Something New - Thoughts from the Starting Line; 6. Introduction to Systemic Music and Art Techniques; 7. Systemic Music techniques; 8. Systemic Art techniques; 9. Testing the Waters - Applying New Methods; 10. New Horizons - Implications for Practice; Conclusion; Appendix - Recipe for play