Thesis
Moving towards wholeness: exploring the power of gender euphoria in gender-affirming music therapy
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Jun 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001995
Abstract
Mental health professionals have historically pathologized transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals and have continuously fallen short in providing TGNC populations adequate and informed care, yet TGNC communities have a significantly higher need for mental health support than the general population. Through this project, I explored gender-affirming mental health practices that already exist and why, according to the preexisting research, these practices are necessary when providing care to TGNC individuals. Music therapy can help foster TGNC individuals' experiences of gender euphoria and can support a space that promotes experiences of joy, pleasure, affirmation, and nurtures resilience factors related to their gender identities and beyond. I engaged with an array of online sources featuring TGNC individuals openly sharing their experiences with and understandings of gender euphoria and used these sources to inform and inspire the creation of a concept album, entitled gender magic, that musically explored the nuances, complexities, and variety of experiences of gender euphoria, including my own personal experiences with gender euphoria as a nonbinary person. Through this creative process, I gained deeper insights into the experience of gender euphoria and how it can be utilized and harnessed in the practice of gender-affirming music therapy for individuals exploring their gender identity and beyond, and how this practice can be a useful framing for strengths-based approaches to music therapy for all identities.
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Details
- Title
- Moving towards wholeness
- Creators
- Em Wexler - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)
- Contributors
- Florence Ierardi (Advisor) - Drexel University, Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- v, 73 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991021872713504721