Reflecting on Pivotal Parallel Experiences During Improvisational Music Therapy Sessions with Gene, an Autistic Adolescent
April 22, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/9780198942849.003.0026 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A sixteen-year-old autistic adolescent with minimal expressive language |
| Intervention | Improvisational music therapy |
| Keywords | Improvisation Dance Music therapy Musicality Music and emotion Empathy Autism Transpersonal Music psychology Grit Transformative learning Aesthetics Phenomenon Active listening Cognitive science Cognitive psychology Laughter Communication Autoethnography Performing arts Music education Meaning existential |
| Key findings | Argues that improvisational music therapy facilitated co-experienced peak experiences and flow, revealing the client's innate musicality and inspiring the therapist's own improvisation. |
Abstract
Abstract Gene, a sixteen-year-old autistic adolescent who has minimal expressive language, engaged in a laundry list of routines and behaviours each day. When he first began music therapy, he was guarded, unsure, and wary, expressing a limited range in his playing—mostly slow and loud. As our work evolved and Gene relaxed, we began co-experiencing peak experiences during our improvisational musicing. As he became more enthralled with exploring music, Gene began to reveal his innate musical talent that was hidden before coming to music therapy. His musicality inspired me, as his therapist, to improvise in ways that I had not done before, tapping into unknown musical resources. This chapter will explore the phenomenon of peak experiences, flow, and transpersonal aspects of improvisational music therapy. I will reflect upon these pivotal and transformative moments with Gene from present and past perspectives. Descriptions of sessions are written in first person.