Research articleToward a queer music therapy: The implications of queer theory for radically inclusive music therapy☆
Section snippets
LGBTQ lives in context
Psychological problems can arise from a function of interactions within relationships and systems, including interpersonal relationships, family, community, society, and culture (Crowe, 2004). This model of viewing psychological issues is the most applicable to LGBTQ issues, as their mental health and disorder in relationships typically has more to do with society and culture than biology or epigenetics. Heterosexism refers to the structural disadvantages faced by sexual minorities, including
Theoretical orientation
Music is highly influential during adolescence and is also used as a medium to construct identity (Tarrant, North, & Hargreaves, 2002). Therefore, an anti-oppressive music therapy informed by queer theory may be efficacious for working with LGBTQ youth, a population that faces marginalization and discrimination in personal interactions and society at large. This oppression may lead to issues with social and personal identity development, as well as other psychological problems, including
Music therapy interventions
To provide queer theory-informed music therapy, a variety of music therapy interventions can be facilitated. These interventions using the above theoretical orientation can promote self-esteem, coping skills, and empowerment for LGBTQ youth experiencing issues related to their identity, including: musical autobiographies, songwriting, lyric analysis, music and creative arts, and group anthem-writing. Each of these interventions is discussed below.
Conclusion: toward a radically inclusive music therapy
This theoretically informed praxis outlined above describes “queer music therapy” practice with LGBTQ adolescent clients. Many LGBTQ adolescents battle pervasive stigma in a multitude of settings, including mental health institutions, which indicates a need for anti-oppressive music therapy techniques grounded in queer theoretical perspectives. Evidence of the strong impact of music on identity development during adolescence provides a rationale for music therapy with this population, and the
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Commentary: Troubling care
2022, Arts in PsychotherapyExplaining effective mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth: A meta-narrative review
2021, SSM - Mental HealthAnti-oppressive music therapy: Updates and future considerations
2021, Arts in PsychotherapyMusic therapy in the era of climate crisis: Evolving to meet current needs
2020, Arts in PsychotherapyCitation Excerpt :Drawing on established music therapy approaches is helpful in considering the disciplinary implications of the climate crisis for music therapy. For example, music therapy scholars have previously used feminist (e.g., Curtis, 2013; Edwards & Hadley, 2007; Hadley, 2006; Seabrook, 2019), queer (e.g., Bain, Grzanka, & Crowe, 2016; Boggan, Grzanka, & Bain, 2017), and anti-oppression (e.g., Baines, 2013; Baines & Edwards, 2015; Hadley, 2013) lenses to critically engage with and shift established music therapy theories and practices. Integrating elements of global environmental health and well-being in music therapy is also not without precedent.
Queering our pedagogy: Advancing the training of creative arts therapists
2019, Arts in Psychotherapy
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This research was based on a B.M. Honors Thesis at Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University completed under the direction of Barbara J. Crowe.