Analysing gender oppression in music therapy research and practice

Health research approaches and practices have historically developed in a culture of privilege, often described as white male privilege. As interpersonal therapies such as music therapy and psychotherapy rely on the therapist's use of the self, it is incumbent on training programs, trainers, and students to first be aware of their own cultural identity, rather than focusing on cultural sensitivity training and awareness that only perceive the "other". Music can transmit oppressive information, including information about gender. Limited acknowledgment of feminist theory in music therapy has presented possible reasons why the foundational tenet of feminism, gender analysis, particularly with the modern intent of decreasing binary theories of gender, is rarely present in music therapy publications. Employing critical cultural analyses within research and treatment practices can begin to address oppression and inequities. Music therapists have explored the relevance of feminist theory to the practice of music therapy.