Music therapy and psychotherapy - complementarity or antagonism in the treatment of patients with mental disorders.

Objective: Aim: The aim of the paper was to compare the principles of music therapy and psychotherapy, pointing out numerous similarities and differences between these two techniques.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: Resistance is observed, as well as the phenomenon of transference and countertransference. In either method, the therapist is a covered therapeutic mirror for the patient/client. Music therapy, unlike psychotherapy, works almost exclusively on emotions and on the symbolic layer of expression of personality. In the case of music therapy, the verbal layer plays a less significant role than in the case of psychotherapy. The clinical effectiveness of music therapy has been studied much less than that of psychotherapeutic methods. In both psychotherapy and music therapy, there is a phenomenon of transference, countertransference and resistance.

Conclusion: Conclusions: Psychotherapy and music therapy are complementary methods in the treatment of mental and behavioral disorders.