The Pontoon 2026 Series: Open Forum - Re-framing Music in Music Therapy

Decolonizing Therapy

Music therapy, a practice using music to address physical, emotional, and social needs, has long relied on 'music-centred' approaches that emphasize music's inherent therapeutic power. These methods, often rooted in Western classical traditions, assume a universal language of music. But recent shifts in global discourse on racism and colonialism are forcing a re-examination.

The push intensified post-2020, with Black Lives Matter amplifying demands for anti-racist practices across professions. By 2024-2026, publications and programs have spotlighted how colonial legacies in music therapy marginalize non-European musical traditions and reinforce power imbalances. For instance, frameworks like Public Health Critical Race Praxis (PHCRP) intersect with decolonial models to promote equity in health interventions.

Affected groups include therapists from diverse backgrounds, who face barriers in a field dominated by Western norms, and clients, particularly immigrants and people of color, who may experience culturally insensitive care. In the U.S. and UK, where music therapy is institutionalized, this impacts thousands of practitioners and patients annually. Consequences of inaction include worsened racial trauma outcomes, with studies showing higher dropout rates in therapy for underserved groups.

Non-obvious angles include the resistance from established therapists accustomed to music-centred models, creating internal divides. Trade-offs emerge: decolonial shifts might complicate standardized training but foster innovation, like incorporating indigenous musics. Surprising data from 2025 research questions assumptions that geographic relocation alone decolonizes practice, urging deeper reflection on systemic racism.