Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Canadian Music Therapy

Issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) are urgent priorities for an increasing number of minoritized and allied music therapists. With the aim of addressing gaps in the current music therapy literature and inspired by the British Association for Music Therapy’s 2020 Diversity...

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Main Authors: Elizabeth Mitchell, Priya Zalis, Daniel Arun Robinson, Sarah Bell, Cynthia Bruce
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: GAMUT - Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (NORCE & University of Bergen) 2025-07-01
Series:Voices
Subjects:
Online Access:https://voices.no/index.php/voices/article/view/4386
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author Elizabeth Mitchell
Priya Zalis
Daniel Arun Robinson
Sarah Bell
Cynthia Bruce
author_facet Elizabeth Mitchell
Priya Zalis
Daniel Arun Robinson
Sarah Bell
Cynthia Bruce
author_sort Elizabeth Mitchell
collection DOAJ
description Issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) are urgent priorities for an increasing number of minoritized and allied music therapists. With the aim of addressing gaps in the current music therapy literature and inspired by the British Association for Music Therapy’s 2020 Diversity Report, the research team developed a questionnaire that was distributed to all Certified Music Therapists in Canada. This questionnaire asked for demographic data in addition to exploring Canadian music therapists’ perspectives, priorities, and concerns regarding EDIB within the professional landscape. This paper explores participants’ answers to three qualitative questions, where results from data analysis are delineated by three overarching themes: Power and Representation, The Role of Music, and Advocacy. We share our perspectives on key findings from the data analysis and connect our discussion to broader discourse surrounding systemic inequalities in healthcare, music practices, and society from our perspectives as minoritized and allied Canadian music therapists. We present ideas for future research and explore how our findings contribute to vital dialogue that challenges inequality, removes barriers, and supports progress toward becoming an inclusive profession that fosters belonging and represents the communities we serve.
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spelling doaj-art-a6ae541ec6614cd0aaf16bc42abb9ee42025-08-20T03:28:38ZengGAMUT - Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (NORCE & University of Bergen)Voices1504-16112025-07-0125210.15845/voices.v25i2.4386Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Canadian Music TherapyElizabeth Mitchell0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6558-7488Priya Zalis1Daniel Arun Robinson2Sarah Bell3Cynthia Bruce4Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaWilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaIndependent Researcher, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaIndependent Researcher, Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, CanadaConcordia University, Montreal, Québec, Canada Issues of equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) are urgent priorities for an increasing number of minoritized and allied music therapists. With the aim of addressing gaps in the current music therapy literature and inspired by the British Association for Music Therapy’s 2020 Diversity Report, the research team developed a questionnaire that was distributed to all Certified Music Therapists in Canada. This questionnaire asked for demographic data in addition to exploring Canadian music therapists’ perspectives, priorities, and concerns regarding EDIB within the professional landscape. This paper explores participants’ answers to three qualitative questions, where results from data analysis are delineated by three overarching themes: Power and Representation, The Role of Music, and Advocacy. We share our perspectives on key findings from the data analysis and connect our discussion to broader discourse surrounding systemic inequalities in healthcare, music practices, and society from our perspectives as minoritized and allied Canadian music therapists. We present ideas for future research and explore how our findings contribute to vital dialogue that challenges inequality, removes barriers, and supports progress toward becoming an inclusive profession that fosters belonging and represents the communities we serve. https://voices.no/index.php/voices/article/view/4386music therapyequitydiversityinclusionbelongingsocial justice
spellingShingle Elizabeth Mitchell
Priya Zalis
Daniel Arun Robinson
Sarah Bell
Cynthia Bruce
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Canadian Music Therapy
Voices
music therapy
equity
diversity
inclusion
belonging
social justice
title Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Canadian Music Therapy
title_full Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Canadian Music Therapy
title_fullStr Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Canadian Music Therapy
title_full_unstemmed Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Canadian Music Therapy
title_short Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Canadian Music Therapy
title_sort equity diversity inclusion and belonging in canadian music therapy
topic music therapy
equity
diversity
inclusion
belonging
social justice
url https://voices.no/index.php/voices/article/view/4386
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AT sarahbell equitydiversityinclusionandbelongingincanadianmusictherapy
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