Song Collage Technique: A New Approach to Songwriting

Abstract

Song Collage Technique is a therapeutic songwriting intervention. The presentation and discussion of this technique provides music therapy clinicians with detailed resources, consistent terminology with which to describe treatment, and therapeutic applications for clients who have cognitive impairments, difficulty articulating feelings due to cultural or gender issues, or time restrictions in therapy. A discussion of traditional therapeutic songwriting techniques provides a foundation for the evolution of Song Collage Technique. Trauma, disability and the need for emotional expression in rehabilitation are presented to provide a clinical context for the use of Song Collage Technique. Case examples and contraindications are offered to highlight clinical application of the technique with clients undergoing rehabilitation for spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.

Keywords:

• adjustment
• emotional expression
• lyrics
• rehabilitation
• song collage
• songwriting
• spinal cord injury
• traumatic brain injury