Working as a Music Therapist in Mexico

• Main Author: Esther Murow
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: GAMUT - Grieg Academy Music Therapy Research Centre (NORCE & University of Bergen) 2002-03-01
• Series: Voices
• Online Access: https://voices.no/index.php/voices/article/view/1594

Music therapy in Mexico is only beginning. Though there is a lot of interest in what it is and on its effect on health and personal growth, there are also a lot of misconceptions about what it really is. I have encountered that one of the obstacles for the growth of music therapy in Mexico is what I call the myths about what it is. I am sure some of them are well known to my colleagues around the world: if you play a music tape the client gets well, or just get some percussion instruments and have the children play and you are doing music therapy. I think one of the worst misconceptions here is that some people believe there is no need for professional training and education to practice music therapy. Being a music therapist has been a real struggle not to mention trying to educate health and education professionals about music therapy, and that it is a real profession in other Countries! On the other hand, there are many musicians and health professionals who are very interested in music therapy and its use.