Community Music Therapy with Adult Female Caregivers:

Abstract

Although it was not conducted as a formal research study, this work was guided by a defined framework and an investigative process that was constantly measured against predetermined analytical units and categories. The music therapy process consisted of two stages: community rapport-building and implementation-closure. In total, six types of musical experiences (listening, playing, creating, executing, interpreting, and reflecting) were facilitated, all of which were guided by the ethical code proposed by the World Federation of Music Therapy. This work was primarily conducted with adult women from the locality of San Cristóbal in Bogotá, Colombia, who are beneficiaries of the government program “Manzanas del Cuidado” that provides them with spaces dedicated to their well-being. Significant conclusions that came as a result of this process are as follows: 1) rapport-building with and among communities is essential to the coherent and effective design of projects of this type and 2) the activities planned based on the community music therapy experiences were ideal for strengthening the social cohesion of the community and promoting participants’ use of self-care strategies. As a reflection for the future, it is crucial to continue working on consolidating spaces that allow the practice of community music therapy permanently throughout the country.

Keywords

• adult woman caregivers
• social cohesion
• community
• community music therapy
• Colombia