Multicultural Music Therapy: A Review of Literature

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to review current literature regarding multicultural music therapy practices in the United States and Canada. Research indicates that music therapy professionals have a strong interest and high level of comfort in providing multi­ cultural music therapy, but feel ill-prepared by their undergraduate training programs. Most professionals gained cultural awareness through clinical experience. In addition, many music therapy profes­ sionals use multicultural music, and consider cultural implications in implementing music therapy sessions. The authors stress the need for music therapists to explore their own cultural attitudes and views before working with culturally diverse clients, and discover the power of world music in the multicultural setting. Research implications and practical applications are discussed, and five important cultural con­ siderations for the music therapy clinician are provided.