Exploring Meaningful Experiences of Group Music and Imagery Sessions

An intrinsic case study

Authors

  • Petra Jerling North West University
  • Liesl Van Der Merwe North West University

Abstract

The purpose of this intrinsic case study was to explore the meaning that participants ascribed to their lived experiences while participating in group Music and Imagery (MI) sessions. MI, a strength-building receptive music therapy method, involves listening to music whilst drawing and can be utilised for individuals and groups. Five South African music teachers took part in a study exploring their meaning-making of MI sessions after they had been infected with the COVID-19 virus. Each participant had four individual sessions, and the group had three sessions together during 2022. This case study focuses on the three online group sessions. A focus group was held with all group members after the three group sessions, and the data collected from the focus group, as well as the group feedback discussions after each session were transcribed, analysed and coded. The themes that arose included character strengths, trust, universality and the need to connect. Findings indicate that MI sessions can enhance personal well-being and experiences of meaning-making.

Author Biographies

Petra Jerling, North West University

Petra Jerling holds a PhD in Visual and Performing Arts with music from the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa, and is an extraordinary researcher at MASARA. She is a certified music psychotherapist in private practice. She is a qualified BMGIM and MI therapist and is a committee member of EAMI (European Association of Music and Imagery) and of MSW (Music, Spirituality and Well-being international network). She has published in the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy and Music Therapy Today, Religions, Voices, Approaches and The International Journal of Education and the Arts, and recently co-edited two volumes titled: Autoethnographies in Music Spirituality and Well-being for Peter Lang publishers. She has presented papers at the WCMT, SA-ACAPAP, MSW and the 2022 and 2024 EAMI conferences.

Liesl Van Der Merwe, North West University

Liesl van der Merwe is professor in the School of Music at the North-West University, South Africa. Her research interests lie in music and well-being, Positive Psychology in music education, Dalcroze Eurhythmics, music and spirituality, and lived musical experiences. She supervises postgraduate studies and teaches research methodology, music education and bassoon. She has published articles in high-impact journals such as Psychology of Music, Journal of Research in Music Education, International Journal of Research in Music Education, Music Education Research and Frontiers in Psychology.  Liesl is co-editor of two volumes titled: Autoethnographies in Music Spirituality and Well-being for Peter Lang publishers.  Liesl also performs in chamber music ensembles and is the conductor of the North-West Youth Orchestra.

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Published

2025-11-18

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025)

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Petra Jerling, Liesl Van Der Merwe

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