“Self–Listening” in Music Therapy with a Young Woman Suffering from Anorexia Nervosa

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Abstract
This article focuses “self–listening” in individual music therapy with a young woman suffering from anorexia nervosa. Listening to an improvisation from a ten–month period of active music therapy will illustrate the topic, and signifies an important receptive musical experience to the client. The main question to be addressed is in what ways “self–listening” can promote an experience of being connected in time and space for a young woman suffering from anorexia. The case material is discussed in the light of developmentally informed theory while the music analysis emerges from phenomenology, focusing on “significant moments.” Based on analysis of the music, the client's narratives and theoretical considerations, I suggest “self–listening” to support procedural and emotional memories of feelings and contribute to a closer connection between soma and psyche. Hence, the feeling of disconnection is replaced by an awareness of connectedness in time and space, which is an important objective for people suffering from anorexia nervosa.