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Music as a Mirror of the Soul: A Path to Inner Connection with Integrative Therapist Barbara Gorecka

In an era where therapy often revolves around conversational techniques and cognitive models, Barbara offers a unique approach by placing music at the center of the therapeutic process. For her, music is more than a means of expression; it is a path to deeper self-awareness and a connection with the spiritual.

As an integrative therapist and experienced musician, Barbara intertwines music with transpersonal therapy to help clients explore their inner world. In this discussion, she shares how music acts as a mirror of the soul and how she creates a safe space where clients, without words, can be touched and experience themselves.

The Invisible Layers of Spirituality in Music

For Barbara, spirituality is an integral part of her therapies, especially in music therapy. She explains: “Spirituality is what connects us to something greater than ourselves. It is a dimension that we cannot physically perceive but can feel. We call it the higher self, the soul, or the source of life. There are countless names for it, but ultimately it is what connects us deeply within.”

Barbara’s background in psychosynthesis, a form of transpersonal psychology, enhances her ability to incorporate this spiritual dimension into her work. “In psychosynthesis, art is embraced as a way to explore the inner world,” she says. “That’s why I call myself an integrative therapist. Music therapy is just one part because, in essence, everything I do is a synthesis of different forms.”

Transpersonal Work: The Conductor and the Orchestra Within

Barbara views the human psyche as an orchestra with many different musicians, each playing its own role. “Within us, there is one conductor who can lead the orchestra to play harmoniously,” Barbara explains. This conductor, or the observing self, is the part of us that guides us through observation and self-reflection. “The conductor allows us to look inward, without judgment, and helps us understand the different ‘voices’ in our minds. We learn to recognize our fears, desires, and emotions without identifying with them.”

Music, Barbara explains, is a tool that helps clients discover and understand their inner orchestra members – emotions, thoughts, beliefs. “Music helps to tell the story from within, without words getting in the way. It is a language that connects us to the unconscious and to that higher self,” she explains. “This makes music therapy a unique tool, as its non-verbal nature opens dimensions that words sometimes cannot reach.”

The Power of Non-Verbal Expression

One of the most valuable aspects of music therapy, according to Barbara, is that it imposes no predefined form. “Words often suggest a form or expectation. But music lets go of that. Each piece of music can be experienced anew and feel different – even for the same person at different times,” Barbara says. “This is incredibly healing because it provides an experience where clients don’t need to interpret or rationalize anything.”

Music therapy, Barbara further explains, acts as a mirror for the unconscious. “When people listen or play, feelings and memories often surface that were previously hidden. This is because music directly touches the heart and soul. People discover emotions and beliefs without engaging their rational minds. They simply feel what is alive within them.”

Finding a Deeper Connection with the Higher Self

Barbara’s work often revolves around what she calls ‘transpersonal qualities,’ attributes that transcend the everyday, such as beauty, peace, and love. “Music can activate these qualities. When clients discover these aspects within themselves, they feel a deep satisfaction and connection. They experience their own light, their own worth,” she says.

Barbara illustrates this with a beautiful metaphor: “Music, like the universe, is a miniature form of harmony. Every human is a part of that harmony, carrying harmonious and disharmonious chords within them. The vibrations in their heartbeat, their rhythm, and tone reflect who they are. When people become aware of this, they can live in harmony with themselves and the world.”

Music as a Mirror of Life

Barbara provides clients with the space to not only hear music but to feel it, bringing them closer to their own truth. She explains: “When clients listen with their eyes closed, they go inward and connect with their core. They experience emotions, bodily sensations, and thoughts that lead them to a deeper understanding of themselves.” This introspective experience helps them look beyond their conditioning, the patterns and roles they have adopted from past experiences.

“A song or sound can build a bridge between our conscious and unconscious. Sometimes music even acts as an anchor for forgotten memories,” Barbara says. “Music can evoke memories, both pleasant and challenging, helping them connect with who they are or who they once were.”

The Rhythm of the Universe

Music reminds us of a universal rhythm, a timeless interplay of tones and silences. Barbara explains how music therapy works with breathing, tempo, and the pauses in between. “The pauses in music are just as important as the notes. They give us time to go inward, to feel, and recalibrate ourselves. Claude Debussy once said that the pauses in music are even more important than the notes,” she says.

She compares this to life itself, where everything is interconnected in a kind of symphony. “We humans are like instruments, each vibrating at a unique tone. We can find harmony when we tune into our higher self and listen to that inner voice that guides us, just like the conductor in an orchestra.”

A Place to Be Yourself at Oh My Mood

At Oh My Mood, Barbara creates a safe space where people can discover who they truly are. “Music brings us to ourselves without words, without judgment. It invites us to listen to our higher self, the part of us that knows who we are and what we need.”

Barbara emphasizes the importance of an environment where clients feel safe. “It’s about them feeling seen, feeling connected to themselves and others. When people experience that connection, they come closer to their core and discover an inner peace that goes beyond words.”

Gratitude and Inspiration

Barbara’s insights strike deep chords in all of us, inspiring us to see music as more than just sounds. It reminds us of who we are and what connects us. “Music is a source of light and harmony. It’s a way to heal ourselves and connect with something greater than ourselves,” she says with a smile.

Pills can support, but a healthy mind often begins with a healthy lifestyle with lifestyle psychiatrist Marjet

In today’s health care system, there is often a strong emphasis on medication as the answer to mental health symptoms. Although medication is sometimes necessary, Marjet, sees that mental health goes beyond prescribing pills. She wants to go back to basics: a holistic approach in which lifestyle, sleep, nutrition, exercise and personal context are as essential as medication. “Pills can help, but it is the balance with a healthy lifestyle that often makes the difference,” said Marjet. Today she shares her insights on lifestyle psychiatry and the importance of looking at the whole person.

The balance between medication and lifestyle

Marjet’s approach as a lifestyle psychiatrist focuses on finding a balance between medication and healthy lifestyle habits. “If someone is not sleeping well, eating unhealthily or hardly exercising, medications often don’t work as well. That’s why I look at the basics: how are you living, and what can you adjust to feel better?” Her approach is intuitive and focused on what each individual needs. She emphasizes, “Sometimes medication is necessary, for example in crisis situations, but often a broader approach works better.”

Holistic care in psychiatry

Her experience in psychiatry began in a clinic where the focus was mainly on medication. “I missed the attention to lifestyle, context and the psychotherapeutic aspect,” Marjet says. This experience led her to the holistic approach she now advocates. “I believe that psychological well-being starts with a healthy lifestyle. Healthy nutrition, exercise, sleep and relaxation form the basis for recovery. A healthy mind requires attention and balance.”

Intuitive work for personal care

In her consultations, Marjet works intuitively, responding to the client’s unique needs. She finds that this approach not only works, but also contributes to a deeper connection with her clients. “Even if someone comes in specifically for medication, I always start talking about lifestyle. That way I give them a broader perspective on recovery.” This intuitive approach helps her look beyond symptoms and see precisely what really makes someone feel better.

A safe environment where you are allowed to be who you are

Marjet stresses the importance of a safe environment where clients feel seen and heard. “At Oh My Mood, I work in an environment that supports this vision,” she says. “We focus on the person behind the complaint and work from equality and respect. This helps clients find their own strength and take charge of their well-being.” For Marjet, it’s about offering space for personal development and health on all levels.

A person is so much more than a diagnosis: about human and equal care in the treatment room with clinical psychologist Helen Lionarons.

In today’s healthcare, there is often an emphasis on protocols, diagnoses and structures. Helen, a clinical psychologist and one of the driving forces behind the founding of Oh My Mood, wants to get back to the essence: the person behind the complaint. Helen looks beyond the label and seeks the unique strengths of each individual. Her vision, developed through decades of experience, revolves around personal growth and self-direction. As she puts it herself, “A person is so much more than a diagnosis.” This approach inspired her to develop a treatment program for Oh My Mood 5 years ago that is not only effective, but people-centered. Helen shares her perspective on the importance of personal touch, self-direction and how Oh My Mood’s core values align with her vision of care.

The loss and regaining of the human condition

Helen began her career at a time when the DSM did not play the large role it does today. “Back then, we were already working transdiagnostically,” Helen says. “We tried to understand the person as a whole, including their background and what shaped them. But with the advent of protocols came more structure, and unfortunately a loss of the human touch.” Helen saw care change: more and more labels and diagnoses, less and less attention to the unique person behind the complaint. “That didn’t feel right. Fortunately, in recent years, Helen sees a movement toward personalized care. “I haven’t developed a set ‘program,'” she explains, “but rather ‘principles’ that should be respected in treatment.” The program Helen developed for Oh My Mood is customized to meet the needs of each individual client. Where different techniques are used, but always with the person’s well-being in mind.

Own direction and true connection

What is essential for Helen is for the client to take control whenever possible. “This starts as early as diagnosis,” Helen explains. “I always discuss what I think is going on and present that to the client. Together we arrive at a shared vision and treatment proposal.” Giving clients control creates a strong connection and a sense that they are truly being heard.
Helen believes this approach makes a big difference in the experience of care. “When clients feel they have a say in their treatment, they get to know themselves better and dare to trust their own strengths more. And that gives them room to really grow.”

A safe place to be yourself

Helen stresses the importance of a safe environment where clients can be themselves and dare to grow. At Oh My Mood, this vision is central. “It’s about genuine connection and respect for each person’s individuality,” Helen says. For her, it is essential that clients feel seen and supported, as this very thing helps them become stronger and more resilient. “We see at Oh My Mood that clients learn to find their own strengths, accept their limitations and vulnerabilities and embrace their unique talents.”

Relationships as a mirror: Discover what they teach you about yourself

In our relationships, we find not only connection, but also a mirror that helps us look deeper into ourselves. Every interaction, every connection we make, reveals something about who we are, what touches us and where we can grow. Ruby Pouwels, psychologist and future systems therapist at Oh My Mood, sees daily how relationships act as a mirror, confronting us with our joys as well as our challenges. As she aptly puts it, “It is precisely in our relationships that we experience the greatest happiness, but also the deepest struggles.” Today Ruby shares her perspective on the hidden power of relationships in personal growth and resilience.

The fascination with human interaction

Ruby’s interest in people began at an early age. She says, “I always found it interesting as a little girl: what is more fascinating than people? But as I got older, I discovered: it’s not just about humans themselves, but rather what happens between people.” For Ruby, relationships are not just interactions; they are ways in which we get to know ourselves, and furthermore, connection is a basic need of every human being.
An anecdote she shares nicely captures how this manifested itself early on. Ruby recalls what her grandmother once told her, “When I came to pick you up in the schoolyard, you would regularly stand among a group of kids where there was a fight.” This memory highlights how Ruby’s need to create harmony and connection was present at an early age. “Apparently, mediating and connecting is something I picked up very early in life,” she says.

Finding resilience through support

For Ruby, relationships and a support network are essential to resilience. She notes that it is harder to remain resilient without support around us. “When people have a supportive environment, we see that it’s easier to bounce back after setbacks. Resilience is not just something you find within yourself. It is the connection with others, the feeling that you are not alone, that makes you able to move on. Our nervous system needs it to feel safe, and relationships help with that.” Ruby explains how this form of support, also called co-regulation, begins as early as birth. “As babies, we are reassured by our mother’s closeness. And as adults, it still works that way. Another person can help calm our nervous system, and that gives us a sense of security in moments where sometimes we just can’t find or create that ourselves.”

Relationships and patterns from our childhood

Ruby’s work with clients often focuses on (re)recognizing how patterns can be traced back to experiences in our early relationships. She sees how first impressions from our parents and environment leave deep marks that we unconsciously carry with us throughout our lives. “Children learn a lot by observing,” she explains. “They watch how adults handle emotions, conflict and recovery. Those early lessons often stay with us implicitly and unconsciously, shaping the way we deal with others and ourselves later.” She explains how she helps clients recognize and, where necessary, heal those patterns. “Many people want to and can react or feel differently in the here and now, but often those behaviors have deep roots created by early experiences. Exploring those patterns together in their current context creates space to change them step by step.”

A safe place to be yourself

Ruby stresses the importance of a safe environment, both for her clients and for her own well-being. “It’s so valuable to have people around you with whom you can be completely yourself. That gives you the peace and freedom to grow,” she says. She says a good relationship is not about the amount of people around you, but the depth and sincerity of the bonds you have. “Some people need a lot of people around them, while others have enough with a few intimate relationships. It’s about that connection being real and feeling safe.” At Oh My Mood, we create a place where this vision becomes a reality. A place where connection and support are central, and where clients are given the space to discover themselves.