ORIGINALBEITRÄGE. Musiktherapie und Hochsensibilität. Erfahrungen und Herausforderungen hochsensibler Menschen in der Musiktherapie

Research into the concept of high sensitivity has made great strides over the past three decades and provided empirical evidence that there are different degrees of sensitivity. In the field of music therapy, research on high sensitivity is still in its infancy. The only research work in this area to date is expanded here to include the perspectives of affected patients and is intended to sensitize music therapists to the topic. In a qualitative study, six adults with completed music therapy experience who classified themselves as highly sensitive using a self-assessment test were asked about their experiences. The interviews were structured according to Elaine Aron's (2014) four indicators of high sensitivity: Depth of Processing, Overstimulation, Emotional Reactivity, and Sensing the Subtle. The interview data was also evaluated using these indicators to identify potential challenges and helpful factors in music therapy. The results show that factors such as sensory overload, lack of structure, emotional overload, and sensory stress caused by loud noises or group interactions can be particularly challenging for highly sensitive people in music therapy. At the same time, they illustrate that music therapy tailored to this patient group - for example, through clear structure, mindfulness, psychoeducational elements, and individually adapted settings - has the potential for positive therapeutic development.