Antonia de la Torre-Rísquez¹, PhD, Maria Isabel Ramos-Fuentes², PhD, Elisa María Garrido-Ardila³, PhD, María Jiménez-Palomares³, PhD, Manuel Sequera-Martín⁴, PhD, Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla³, PhD
¹ISOMUS, Centre of Psychology and Music Therapy, Music therapy master teacher, Department of Medical-Surgical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Extremadura University, Badajoz, Spain
²Psychiatry Area, Department of Medical-Surgical Therapy Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Extremadura, Spain
³ADOLOR Research Group, Medical and Surgical Department, Medicine and Health Sciences Faculty, University of Extremadura, Spain
⁴Music therapist at Centro Huella Sonora, Music therapy master teacher, Department of Medical-Surgical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Extremadura University, Badajoz, Spain

Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.52305/VDEJ9736

Part of the book: Understanding Psychotic Disorders

Abstract

Narcissism has been studied since Sigmund Freud first raised it and its interest continues to this day. Narcissistic traits will appear as a consequence of narcissistic wounds originated at an early age, during the maternal bond. When the individual with certain narcissistic personality traits relates to his peers, he/she projects onto them an image of himself, his traumas or his ideal. Rolando Benenzon, psychiatrist and music therapist, creator of the Benenzon Model of Music Therapy, gives special emphasis on the narcissistic wounds of the music therapist. They are a consequence of the music therapist-patient relationship and will come into play throughout the therapeutic process. They may trigger attitudes and/or actions in the music therapist in favour of him/herself and the personal needs of the music therapist, not the patient. Narcissistic wounds are activated in the music therapist when, in order to prevent the patient from leaving the therapy or the music therapist, he/she “acts out”, i.e., projects his/her needs onto the patient. In view of these narcissistic wounds, the ego’s defences are activated to avoid psychic pain and can form certain pathological traits that include the appearance of the well-known burnt out syndrome. Given that music therapy is becoming more relevant in the field of health sciences, the study of narcissistic wounds in music therapists is an important aspect in their training, as well as the appropriate mechanisms to prevent them from appearing, such as personal therapy and supervision of the music therapist.

Keywords: narcissism, music therapy, narcissistic wounds, narcissistic personality traits

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