Music therapist notes ministry is healing

From the time the wife, mother and singer was in middle school, she wanted to bring the healing gift of music to people. While studying for an undergraduate degree in music in the late '70s, her life changed forever.

During her time at Dayton University in Ohio, the native of Immaculate Conception parish in Glenville learned of a new program called music therapy. It caught her interest and she completed the five-year program.

Today, as a music therapist and director of the music program at Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake, Mrs. Dolezal-Neumann has found a way to combine her clinical skills with a music ministry that is therapeutic and provides participation opportunities for all ages.

"The effects of music therapy are far-reaching," she recently told The Evangelist. "Music has great power to heal."

According to Mrs. Dolezal-Neumann, music's healing effect goes further than most people realize. Music therapy, she said, is "the process of utilizing music as a tool to bring about possible or desirable change in [an individual's] behavior. Music therapy allows a person the opportunity for an increase in communication and the development of, or an increase in, self esteem and motivation."

This is accomplished, she said, through expression of feelings and response to music stimuli such as words, notes, melody and rhythm.

"Whether we need to have fun or our motivation is weak, when we need confidence [or when we lose confidence in our abilities], when it is time to be reminded of how important we are -- that is the time for the therapy of music," she stated.

Although Mrs. Dolezal-Neumann said that music therapy is for anyone, it has been found that this particular type of therapy helps those that are developmentally, emotionally or physically disabled by giving them an opportunity to realize their total potential as a person.

Music therapy is performed in many settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, special education programs, psychiatric facilities, nursing homes, hospice programs and adult daycare facilities. It can be used in a group setting or one-on-one with a therapist.

"Hospice care is one clinical setting that utilizes music therapy," said Mrs. Dolezal-Neumann. She explained that those who are dying often use songwriting to reconnect with hidden feelings, allowing closure as they prepare to die.

Although her clinical skills may not be evident in her ministry at Our Lady of Grace, Mrs. Dolezal-Neumann's education and knowledge offers her a unique opportunity to minister through the parish music program.

"The therapeutic value of music naturally flows into our worship," she said. "Our [Catholic] belief in ritual allows us to let the music we perform enhance the quality of that ritual," whether it be Mass, a reconciliation service, a funeral or a wedding.

"The music we choose and perform heals us and deeply enriches these sacramental expressions," she said, adding that it also opens doors where healing is needed in other areas of a person's life because music touches the heart and soul.

"Even aside from worship, we can find the value of music in the words and melodies of songs as we sing them. By expanding on that awareness, we allow our own personal expression in a unique way, a way that may not be accessible in other areas of our life."

Mrs. Dolezal-Neumann has worked as a music therapist with developmentally-disabled children and others with head injuries. She currently does private therapy while raising her family and working part-time at Our Lady of Grace, a position she has held for six years. Before that, she was the director of the parish's contemporary choir for three years.

"I have always wanted to provide music for healing in our parish, music that will touch people, encourage them to join us in our celebrations of Christ in the Eucharist," she said. "I want our music to bring people home to Christ."

(12-06-01) [[In-content Ad]]