Music Therapy in a Multicultural Context: A Handbook for Music Therapy Students and Professionals

Music therapy professionals work with diverse population groups, and this book provides therapists, and those in training, with the tools to integrate understanding of different cultural and social identities into their practice.

Topics addressed include heritage, age, location, identity and health beliefs, and how to understand the dynamics of the variety of different cultures which music therapists will encounter in the course of their practice. Each chapter is written by an expert on a topic of personal interest in music therapy, explored through a multicultural lens. The chapters include anecdotes, case studies, and practical activities to try, while encouraging the reader to reflect on their own identity as a music therapist.

This book is essential reading for all music therapy professionals wanting to practice in a culturally-informed manner, and respect the needs, contributions and strengths of every client.

Melita Belgrave, Ph.D., MT-BC and Seung-A Kim, Ph.D., LCAT, MT-BC have both been music therapists for over 20 years, and have in the past co-chaired the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the American Music Therapy Association. Melita Belgrave has worked with clients throughout Texas, Florida, Kansas, Missouri and Arizona, and has presented at regional, national, and international conferences. Seung-A Kim works with clients with cultural adjustment difficulties at a variety of clinical settings. She has developed a music therapy programme for Korean immigrant families in New York, and has supervised music therapy interns from diverse cultures.