Rap in Music Therapy with Appalachian Youth with Adverse Childhood Experiences

Struggle, Reflection, and Self-Work as a Music Therapist

Autores/as

  • Jessica S. Fletcher Central Ohio Music Therapy, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i4.2591

Palabras clave:

music therapy, rap, Hip Hop, supervision, cultural appropriation, Appalachia, Adverse Childhood Experiences

Resumen

Children and adolescents in Appalachia are often exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences and may have higher levels of depression, anxiety, and aggression than youth in other areas of the United States. The unique challenges of working with youth in Appalachia and the unexpected prevalence of rap as a preferred genre are summarized in this article. Rap is a frequently requested genre with youth in Appalachian Ohio and the youth in the area frequently identify with common themes in rap such as social criticism, social empowerment, humanistic values, and negative behavior criticism. Despite success with these methods within music therapy sessions, this Caucasian music therapist has experienced internal conflict due to the potential for cultural appropriation by using rap music in music therapy with clients who are not indigenous to Hip Hop Kulture. Discussion of the implications of therapeutic application, this therapist’s self-reflections and supervision process, potential for appropriation, and personal outcomes are included.

Biografía del autor/a

Jessica S. Fletcher, Central Ohio Music Therapy, United States

Jessica S. Fletcher, MM, MT-BC, is a music therapist and assistant director of Central Ohio Music Therapy. She works with children, adolescents, and bereaved families in the medical and psychiatric settings. Her recent research and publications focus on using Rap/Hip-Hop in music therapy in rural Ohio.

Publicado

2018-10-17

Cómo citar

Fletcher, J. S. (2018). Rap in Music Therapy with Appalachian Youth with Adverse Childhood Experiences: Struggle, Reflection, and Self-Work as a Music Therapist. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v18i4.2591