LIBERATING FUNCTION
In the very particular situation of a young cancer patient, musical elements are of great importance, as they allow him to express his most inner feelings in a non-verbal way. The music becomes a metaphorical language, which is more powerful than words and sentences. This symbolic language allows the child to decide which feelings it wants to share openly. In other cases the patient may simply hint at certain emotions, hoping that they will be revealed by the therapist.
When looking at a child’s drawing most of us are able to indentify different elements that represent certain events, hopes, fears and happiness. Unfortunately, even among educators and psychologists in Italy today, the same ability is not very widespread when it comes to the interpretation of musical elements. Music Therapy is the only discipline that aims at this way of understanding musical gestures in order to work on emotions and feelings.