Music Therapy (Creating Music Therapy Program + Theoretical Approach) – Movie Case Study (Mental Illness in “The Devil and Daniel Johnston”, 2006, or Dementia in “Iris”, 2001)

In this assignment, you will choose to write about ONE of the two following two case studies:

1. Mental Illness: Daniel Johnston – as illustrated in the film ‘The Devil and Daniel Johnston” (2006) 
2. Dementia: Dame Iris Murdoch – as illustratedin the film, “Iris” (2001)

In both sections ONE and TWO, you are to imagine that you are working as a music therapist and have received a referral to work with Daniel/Iris. You will use the same participant for both sections.

SECTION ONE (approx. 2000 words)

Select one of the case studies, either Daniel or Iris, and respond to the following prompts:

1. Drawing on a theoretical approach that has been covered in Apps B this semester, provide a rationale for the way you could consider the application of music therapy with Daniel/Iris.
2. Select a particular stage/phase in Daniel’s/Iris’ disease progression/condition and write a hypothetical music therapy assessment (based on your observations of the character in the film) that explains potential social, physiological, cognitive, and psycho-emotional needs that (a) Iris/Daniel, and (b) their family/significant others are likely to encounter. Explain how you arrived at a specific focus for their music therapy program.
3. Clearly describe your approach to evaluation of your proposed music therapy program with 2 goals (plus objectives if relevant), an example session plan, and an evaluation strategy. You are encouraged to also include Daniel’s/Iris’ significant others in your music therapy program.  

SECTION TWO (approx. 1000 words)

Considering the same case, now choose a different model or theoretical approach that could also be used to guide your work with this person.

1. Clearly describe this alternative approach and provide a rationale for how it could also be appropriate for the chosen participant’s context. How would this different approach affect the design of your music therapy program? How would it be different or similar?
2. Compare and contrast the two approaches you have outlined in Section ONE and TWO. Provide an argument for which approach you think is the most appropriate for the chosen scenario.