Tori Obermeier, MT-BC, Bethany Lindeblad, MT-BC – “Incorporating the Lens of Adoption in Music Therapy: Centering the Adoptee Experience”

There is a substantial gap in the music therapy literature  surrounding adoptees, and more specifically, transracially  adopted music therapists (TRA MTs). Literature has discussed the  benefits of music therapy for adoptees as clients, but there is  limited research on adoptees as therapists. The researchers  conducted a phenomenological study on the lived experiences of  TRA MTs and how their uniquely complex identities affect the  therapeutic process and the supervisory relationship. The findings  indicate areas of growth and need within the music therapy  profession for further support and awareness of TRA MT  experiences. Additionally, relevant adoptee literature brings to  light the importance of acknowledging the trauma related to an  adoptee’s experience.  In this presentation, participants will learn more about the  experiences of TRA MTs and the nuances of adoption as related to  trauma-informed care and music therapy. The presenters will  provide an overview of their research, “The Lived Experiences of  Transracially Adopted  Music Therapists” (Davenport et al., 2023), followed by a  discussion on the role of adoption and loss in trauma-informed  care and music therapy. Participants will hear from adoptees  themselves, centering the experiences that are often overlooked  and dismissed. Additionally, participants will be encouraged to  examine their own biases and preconceived notions of adoption. 

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