The dialogical self in vocal psychotherapy

This article addresses the notable yet unexplored similarities between dialogical self theory (DST) in psychotherapy and the therapeutic approaches of vocal psychotherapy, a voice-based model of music psychotherapy developed by Diane Austin. Particularly – to address the similitudes and also the differences between these two domains – we aim at stressing the importance of musicality in voicing what DST calls I-positions (which can be compared to “parts of the self”) and stimulating them to engage in musical dialogue in vocal psychotherapy. Diane Austin’s techniques such as “vocal holding” and “free associative singing” can offer a unique and important perspective on DST. In vocal psychotherapy, the “dialogical” interplay is brought to a profound and musical level and it offers traumatized parts of the psyche a unique way to voice their existence and eventually become integrated into a more complete self.