Music Therapy through Musical Theater: A Study of the Creative Practice and Therapeutic Pathways in Feier

Abstract

Art therapy has emerged as a vital domain within mental health services in China, attracting increasing public and scholarly attention. This paper examines the creative practice of the therapeutic musical Feier as a case study to explore the application and potential standardization of musical theater in youth mental health interventions. The study finds that Feier constructs a three-dimensional therapeutic framework integrating "narrative, music, and interaction." This framework combines cognitive restructuring from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with the emotional externalization characteristic of artistic expression, resulting in a replicable group therapy model. The project employs a systematic fieldwork mechanism to ground its creation in authentic experiences. Through narrative role reversal, it enables participants to gain a sense of agency on a symbolic level, while also exploring the transformation of traditional cultural elements into therapeutic tools. This paper further analyzes the project's therapeutic mechanisms and social value, identifying key challenges-such as developing evaluation systems, training personnel, and adapting to different settings-that must be addressed to move from a single "project" to a scalable "model." This analysis aims to provide a reference for the localization of art therapy practice.