The focus of this qualitative study is the concepts of affective attunement and regulation. These concepts are applied deductively for an analysis of collected empirical evidence from a music therapy course with a man suffering from alcohol addiction with several different psychiatric diagnoses added on. The purpose of the study is to uncover how the concepts of affective attunement and regulation can assist the understanding of dynamic processes in music therapy in the work with a man with multiple diagnoses. In order to gain a deeper understanding of these concepts, the empirical evidence has been micro-analyzed using an analysis model developed for the case.
During my internship in the 9th semester of my music therapy training, I completed a music therapy course with a man containing various interesting aspects, which I wanted to immerse myself into. I was very curious about whether it would be possible for this man to train and develop his mentalization ability. Since my data could not provide this information, I narrowed down my scope of inquiry to deal with affective attunement and regulation, as mentioned above. The problem formulation for this study therefore sounds: How can affective attunement and regulation through music therapy be understood in work with a male client with multiple diagnoses such as ADHD, alcohol dementia, anxiety and psychosis?
The empirical data consists of a total of 5 audio clips from 3 different sessions, which have been hermeneutically analyzed and subsequently interpreted using specifically developed markers. The audio clips includes dialogues, musical improvisations and reflection on these.
The analysis shows how difficult it is to separate the two concepts of affective attunement and regulation in therapeutic work. However, there are also examples from the analysis that clarify that both concepts can be experienced in a pure form separately. In addition, the analysis makes it clear how both concepts take place both consciously and unconsciously, as well as in shorter and longer time intervals. There are further examples of dyadic regulation in the therapeutic relationship.
This study discusses the relevance of knowledge about these concepts in relation to the clinical practice of music therapists and the therapeutic relationship, as well as how it is possible to achieve regulation through the use of music and with a focus on affective attunement. The ethical dilemma of trying to achieve regulation with clients who are cognitively impaired is also discussed.
The conclusion of the study is that affective attunement and regulation must therefore be understood as an important tool in the music therapy work that we always have with us.

Keywords: Music therapy, affect attunement, regulation, microanalysis, qualitative