Assessment and therapeutic application of the expressive therapies continuum in music therapy

After primary treatment, many cancer survivors experience low mood and depression. Music therapy is successfully addressing these issues. A case study, based on a music therapy example with a 65-year-old cancer survivor Anna, illustrates the assessment, planning and delivery of treatment of cancer-related depression based on the Expressive Therapies Continuum. The hierarchy of creative expression helped to understand Anna’s functioning, facilitated the setting of a safe starting point and provided clear structure for therapy. It also served as an explanatory model for the creative transitions that the client/patient went through the therapy.