Hip hop and spoken word therapy with urban youth

Abstract

Theorizing from the perspective that effective counseling should enact deep awareness and trust of self, hip hop and spoken word therapy (HHSWT) is presented as an alternative modality when working with urban youth. HHSWT uses a combination of elements from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), bibliotherapy, music therapy, and person-centered therapy (PCT). At its core, this theory seeks to take the lens through which urban youth see the world and use it as a vehicle for intrapersonal development. Hip hop (a combination of poetry and music) lies at the heart of urban mainstream culture among youth and adults. In hip hop, artists often talk about experiences, dreams, values, and beliefs of oppressed populations. This therapy will use resources familiar to the client which allow him or her the chance to build a deeper emotional understanding of self.