Representing People in Music Therapy Research and Practice: A Balancing Act

Authors

  • Rebecca Fairchild National Music Therapy Research Unit, The University of Melbourne
  • Jennifer Bibb National Music Therapy Research Unit, The University of Melbourne

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v16i3.878

Keywords:

representation, language, resource-oriented, music therapy

Abstract

The process of representing people in academic writing and discussion is paradoxical. Drawing on our experiences of research in areas of child welfare and adult mental health, we consider whether the predominantly problem-focused language often used to describe and represent people in music therapy research and practice is congruent with the strengths-based way in which music therapists work. This article describes a "call to action" for music therapists to reflect on the language we use to represent the people we work and research with. We argue the need for a better balance in representing people in music therapy case studies, presentations and articles, by focusing on their strengths and resilience along with their challenges.

Author Biographies

Rebecca Fairchild, National Music Therapy Research Unit, The University of Melbourne

Rebecca is a doctoral researcher at the National Music Therapy Research Unit at the University of Melbourne. Her research explores children's resources in the context of homelessness and family violence.

Jennifer Bibb, National Music Therapy Research Unit, The University of Melbourne

Jennifer is a doctoral researcher at the National Music Therapy Research Unit (NaMTRU) at the University of Melbourne. Her research interests are mental health recovery, group singing and healthy-unhealthy uses of music in mental health contexts. 

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Published

2016-09-06

How to Cite

Fairchild, R., & Bibb, J. (2016). Representing People in Music Therapy Research and Practice: A Balancing Act. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v16i3.878

Issue

Section

Position Papers