Forms of vitality and microanalysis in music therapy within adult autism: A clinical report

Abstract

This article examines as a clinical report two years of an ongoing music therapy journey with a young woman with autism. The different phases of the music therapy process are investigated from a relational point of view, explaining the therapeutic choices made by the therapist. The relational content of the sessions is discussed, using the theory of ‘forms of vitality’ as developed by Daniel N. Stern, which is applied to some detailed transcriptions of musical extracts from the sessions. The clinical report implements the theory of ‘forms of vitality’ as a useful tool for analysing the relational processes during the therapy sessions, while microanalysis of musical elements can usefully complement and document this approach, to support therapeutic decisions.