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.

How professionals can enhance their music therapy practice through sensitivity toward diversity and multiculturalism

About the Author
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.

Reviews
There has never been a more important time to consider multicultural perspectives within the practice and discipline of music therapy. The interconnectedness of the world is abundantly clear, as is our task of paying respect to diversity rather than tolerating it. This book provides a beacon for action, grounded in practice examples, with questions and prompts to reflect on why we do what we do with diverse people in different contexts. -- Prof Katrina Skewes McFerran, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Cultural practices unite and divide us, and participation in intercultural communication is at the heart of what music therapy is about. The chapters of this stimulating book illuminate how processes of bridging cultural differences involve awareness, active listening, humility, and creativity. -- Brynjulf Stige, Professor of Music Therapy, the Grieg Academy, University of Bergen, Norway
This handbook overall offers unique and much-needed information for clinicians, educators, and students alike. The chapters address a variety of indispensable topics related to the individuals served within music therapy, with the intention of allowing readers to examine their own backgrounds, biases, and perspectives. The handbook style of the book provides an added element of usability, with key resources for educators to facilitate discussion, critical analysis, and synthesis of the topics presented in the book. Likewise, the information can be easily understood and transferred by clinicians with the multiple case examples presented. The book helps to advance the profession of music therapy by bringing to light relevant and necessary content related to multicultural needs and how to incorporate this lens into clinical practice. -- Adrienne C. Steiner, PhD, MT-BC * Dialogues in Music Therapy Education *



Book Information
ISBN 9781785927980
Author Melita Belgrave
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Publisher Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Weight(grams) 280g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 150mm * 16mm