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The experiences of professional artists in clinical improvisation: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Clinical improvisation is a method used in music therapy to address the health and well-being needs of individuals within a variety of client populations. While professional artists can experience personal challenges as part of their vocation, the applications of clinical improvisation for professional artists as a client group had not previously been investigated. The aim of this pilot study was thus to explore the experiences of professional artists in clinical improvisation. Eighteen professional artists, of whom 13 were classical musicians, participated in clinical improvisation with a music therapist. Qualitative data were collected through participant interviews with 16 participants. Thematic analysis highlighted the artists’ experiences in terms of: (1) requirements of engaging in clinical improvisation; (2) experiences of self; (3) relationship with the music therapist; and (4) a unique experience for classical musicians. A discussion elucidates how these experiences of professional artists are congruent with those of other client populations in clinical improvisation and further research is suggested.