Music Therapy in Mexico: Another Approach
Music therapy has grown exponentially in the last few years in Mexico. Several approaches, from the humanistic to the behavioral, are present; and new programs are constantly being created. We still have a lot to do to take music therapy to the professional level of other countries. This article shares some recent advances in the hope that a professional exchange will support music therapy's further development in Mexico.
As a previous article documented (Campos, E. G., 2003) music therapy in Mexico is growing both in public recognition, and in its diversity. Despite this, up to this day, there is neither a professional organization that unites music therapists in Mexico nor a professional program to obtain a degree. That is why most music therapists in Mexico have obtained their degree abroad, or have studied a music-psychotherapy specialization. This situation has limited the possibilities of collaboration between professionals, and public knowledge on the level of professionalism of this discipline. As I do not feel qualified to speak for the whole scope of music therapists' experiences in Mexico, I will limit this writing to my personal experience as a music therapist formed in the United States who comes back to a country with these characteristics. It is my hope that other professionals who have established music therapy programs in places where there were none (or very few), would share their experience with me and others.
As said before, there is an undoubtedly increasing awareness in Mexico of music therapy's power to promote growth not only in the psychotherapy arena, but also in the educational and medical area. When I returned to Mexico after obtaining my master's degree in the US, I was asked to teach short courses as a way of paying back a scholarship I had received. I created a workshop to teach public school teachers how music therapy can promote the inclusion of children with disabilities. I was delighted to see the interest and acceptance of the teachers for our work. Even though most of them had a limited/distorted view of music therapy, they were open to new explanations. Several of these teachers shared that their previous definition of music therapy was that "it is about listening to selected classical music on CD during the classes to improve the children's relaxation and learning". During the final evaluations, most of them commented that they were surprised that "music therapy is actually a profession, and not just a technique", and "how much you have to study to become a music therapist", and "the level of responsibility you need to use music therapeutically". I felt that at least one of my objectives on those workshops had been accomplished.
Nowadays, a foundation, Pheliz, A.C. and the music therapy agency, MusiCura, S.C., are working to establish a music therapy program in pediatric hospitals. Again, I am thrilled to inform that the response from the medical directors and staff is excellent. It seems they have had access to medical and music therapy research that positively shows our contributions. They have been very open to discuss (and even research) the effects of music in the general well-being of children in hospitals. Funding, as it might be in other places, is the only limitation right now. They are working hard to obtain the resources, and I hope that in the near future they will be able to share great news.
Mexico's long-standing musical tradition, and its inclusion of music in everyday life, makes it an ideal ground for the development of music therapy programs. Public acceptance of this profession as a powerful tool for the improvement of human life warrants more support from official and private institutions. The respectful and open exchange between qualified professionals, from Mexico and other countries, can guarantee the provision of music therapy services to the people in need. I hope that this sharing, though it is small, can be a significant piece of the puzzle in making professional music therapy a reality in Mexico. I also hope that others will be willing to participate in this endeavor.
References
Campos, Ezequiel González (2003). Music Therapy in Mexico. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy. Retrieved April 19, 2005, from http://www.voices.no/country/monthmexico_august2003.html
