The dialogical self in vocal psychotherapy

ABSTRACT

This article addresses the notable yet unexplored similarities between dialogical self theory (DST) in psychotherapy and the therapeutic approaches of vocal psychotherapy, a voice-based model of music psychotherapy developed by Diane Austin. Particularly – to address the similitudes and also the differences between these two domains – we aim at stressing the importance of musicality in voicing what DST calls I-positions (which can be compared to “parts of the self”) and stimulating them to engage in musical dialogue in vocal psychotherapy. Diane Austin’s techniques such as “vocal holding” and “free associative singing” can offer a unique and important perspective on DST. In vocal psychotherapy, the “dialogical” interplay is brought to a profound and musical level and it offers traumatized parts of the psyche a unique way to voice their existence and eventually become integrated into a more complete self.

KEYWORDS:

• Vocal psychotherapy
• dialogical self theory
• parts of the self
• I-positions
• trauma

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elisa Monti

Elisa Monti is a doctoral student in experimental psychology at The New School for Social Research. Her concentration is voice, specifically investigating the relationship between psychological trauma and acoustic measures of voice. Elisa is working as a Teaching Fellow and as a vocal psychotherapist at The New School.

Diane Austin

Diane Austin DA, ACMT, LCAT is the Director of the Music Psychotherapy Center in New York City where she offers a post-graduate certificate program in Vocal Psychotherapy. Dr. Austin has maintained a private practice for over 20 years, and teaches in the music therapy department at New York University. She has lectured and taught internationally and written “The Theory and Practice of Vocal Psychotherapy: Songs of the Self”.