Every two weeks, Louise Leclair, 90, eagerly awaits the visit of her music therapist, Stéphane Suppervielle, at the Montreal CHSLD where she lives. For nearly an hour, they sing together to tunes by Joe Dassin or Georges Moustaki. But they do much more than sing during these sessions: they create a therapeutic bond that aims to soothe anxiety.
When passing the Duty at M’s residenceme Leclair, in the spring, the guitar notes played by the 42-year-old music therapist resonate in the peaceful corridors of the building. They come from the lilac-walled room of the elegant nonagenarian, wearing a polka-dot scarf that day. Suffering from a neurocognitive disorder that causes her memory loss, she has been working on managing her emotions, among other things, since she began seeing Mr. Suppervielle, about 4 months ago.
At the beginning of the session, the lady is concerned several times about the music therapist’s comfort. Anxious, she asks him if he is hot, then if he is cold. Skillfully, he redirects her attention to the music, which stimulates her memory by reminding her of good memories. She has been part of choirs in the past, as evidenced by her melodious voice and her great musical culture.
At first more silent, Louise Leclair begins to chat more as the songs go on. She even makes a few jokes between songs. “I think we’re ready to do Place des Arts. What do you think?” Mr. Suppervielle asks the woman. With a wry smile, she replies that they only need “a little practice” to get there.
However, there is no need to know how to sing well to benefit from the benefits of music therapy, emphasizes Stéphane Suppervielle in DutyDuring his sessions, this certified professional uses music in a “safe and ethical” way to meet the needs of his users on a cognitive, musical, physical, social, communicational and spiritual level.
Every week, he visits different people as a member of the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l’Île-de-Montréal’s flying team specializing in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. However, other types of clients can benefit from the services of a music therapist, he says, mentioning autistic children, among others.
Range of emotions
About ten minutes after starting the session, Stéphane Suppervielle starts singing The Champs-Élysées, by Joe Dassin, to the great delight of Louise Leclair. He then suggests that she listen to a recording of a piece that she loves, but that he doesn’t know well enough yet to play on the guitar: There was a garden, by Georges Moustaki. From the first notes, Mme Leclair hums enthusiastically.
At the end of the play, the lady suddenly begins to recount a memory that makes her feel angry. Mr. Suppervielle seizes the opportunity by asking her to name a place that has the power to soothe her. “The water’s edge,” she replies, without hesitation. He then suggests that they go for a walk to that place in song, singing The sea, by Charles Trenet.
During a music therapy session, users can feel a range of emotions from joy to sadness to anger, explains Stéphane Suppervielle. “It’s valid, these emotions have their place.” The important thing is to make them feel listened to, then lead them towards something more positive with the help of music, he emphasizes.
Of course, music therapy isn’t a “magic cure” for everything, he says. “Sometimes you can’t connect with people. So you may have to leave a room and come back later if the person is disorganized or not receptive.”
At a good place
A music therapist for about three and a half years, Mr. Suppervielle is “on his X” when he practices this discipline, he emphasizes. “I feel whole. What I do, who I am and where I am, it’s exactly me,” says this Montrealer of Martinique origin.
He also left behind a career in business administration to devote himself to music therapy. A choice he does not regret, despite the difficulties that this change of life entails for a father of two young children. “Music is my passion, quite simply,” says the man for whom singing has always been a part of his life.
At present, however, Stéphane Suppervielle believes that his profession is not yet sufficiently recognized in Quebec. “I believe that all those who have experienced music therapy as clients can testify that it is much more than having a moment of entertainment,” he says.
He has already stored up several memorable memories during his career, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, he was able to go to a CHSLD in the province to sing “Happy Birthday” to an elderly lady. “I went back to the red zone with all the protective equipment and my guitar. Two days later, she died. This song was perhaps the last positive thing she had in her life.”