Latin American Cultural and Musical Contexts in Music Therapy - by Patricia Zarate de Perez (Paperback)

About the Book

Essential reading for all music therapists, this detailed primer explores the rich array of languages, religions, histories, and influences that make up Latin American musical culture, and how they can be used to tailor music therapy practice to Latine clients.

Book Synopsis

Culturally-conscious music therapy has the power to create meaningful therapeutic connections between practitioners and clients from different backgrounds, and to support healing by honoring clients' heritages and experiences.

This essential handbook dives into the wide range of linguistic, historical, and cultural influences that shape different Latin American clients, and suggests ways to apply these contexts in music therapy settings. Stories, case studies, and research provide a comprehensive overview of both theory and its practical applications, allowing better client-centred practice. Examples shown through the perspective of therapists and clients demonstrate ways to develop culturally-competent practice, as well as highlighting its importance in supporting clients from different backgrounds and helping Latine therapists to weave their own heritage into their work.

A key resource for therapists and care professionals working with Latine and Hispanic clients, this guide broadens the horizons of music therapy and reinforces the diversity at its heart.

Review Quotes

With this book, Patricia Zarate de Perez offers fascinating Indigenous, as well as Eurocentric, perspectives on the field of music therapy. Approaches from various countries exemplify the diversity and uniqueness of clinical context and process, as practiced across Latin America.--Suzanne B. Hanser, EdD, MT-BC - President, International Association for Music & Medicine; Founding Chair Emerita, Music Therapy, Berklee College of Music

This comprehensive book on Music Therapy in Latin America is a much-needed resource guide for anyone navigating culture as a foundation in healing and treatment. As one builds programs globally, music therapy models in Latin America provide both the strengths and challenges across the region. A must read.--Karen Wacks, LMHC, M.Ed., MT-BC, Professor Emeritus, Music Therapy Department, Berklee College of Music

This book offers a compelling overview of the diverse and vibrant landscape of music therapy in Latin America, shaped by its unique historical traditions, varied practices, and rich musical cultures. Readers are introduced to the current state of music therapy practice and education across Latin American countries. The chapters skilfully navigate the space between postcolonial critique and evidence-based practice, contributing to the development of a truly global music therapy. By weaving together approaches from the Global North with Afrocentric and Indigenous epistemologies, knowledge, and histories, the book opens up vital new perspectives for the future of the field.--Even Ruud, professor emeritus in music therapy at the Norwegian Academy of Music. Author of "Towards a Sociology of Music Therapy: Music as a Cultural Immunogen"

This book challenges the foundations of music therapy as a primarily white, patriarchal and Eurocentric profession. Considering diverse epistemologies and indigenous practices it proposes a new way of defining music therapy traditions. It includes contributions from music therapists across Latin America. The compelling narratives, theory and research presented make this essential reading and a groundbreaking book for all music therapists and those interested in considering music, health and wellbeing through different eyes.--Colin Andrew Lee, Professor Emeritus, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada

About the Author

Patricia Zarate de Perez co-founded the Latin American Music Therapy Network in Boston, and founded the Latin American Music Therapy Symposium, the Global Music Therapy Center, and music therapy centers in both Panama and Chile. She is faculty at Berklee College of Music and currently serves as the President of the Music Therapy Association of Panama (APAMU) and Vice-President of the Comité Latinoamericano de Musicoterapia (CLAM).