Exploring the Lived Experience of Disabled Music Therapists: A Literature Review

Author

Katherine PerakisFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-21-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Expressive Therapies

Advisor

Jacelyn Biondo

Abstract

Music therapy and the mental health field are publicly praised fields dedicated to helping those who are in need of services. Music therapy in particular is especially praised for the work that is done with people with disabilities. Although this work is extensive and important, there is an underlying tone of ableism that runs through the profession. This ableism points to the clients served, but also the therapists who are disabled themselves. This literature review examines the history of disability studies, disability statistics, disability competencies, as well as the lived experience of three different disabled therapists. Far more research is required in this area of the field, however, there is enough research out there to instigate a need for change.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Perakis, Katherine, "Exploring the Lived Experience of Disabled Music Therapists: A Literature Review" (2022). Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses. 527.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/expressive_theses/527