The document discusses using rap therapy with at-risk inner city youth. It describes how rap has become integral to African American and Latino culture, influencing these youths. Incorporating rap therapy can create an effective counseling environment by allowing the counselor to bridge cultural gaps and build rapport. The benefits of using Dr. Don Elligan's rap therapy method are explored, such as engaging youth who may be apprehensive about counseling. Counselors can implement listening opportunities and have clients write lyrics to build cultural awareness and empowerment.

1.  Beth Cullen

2.  Music
Therapy/Counseling
at risk youth
 I found “myself” in
music
 Life-long process of
learning
 Music is my passion

3.  Rap has become an integral part of
the African American and Latino
culture
 Influences dress, speech, and the
environment, among inner city youth
 Incorporating rap therapy with inner
city youths creates a effective
counseling environment between the
counselor and client.
 The opportunity to bridge the cultural
gap and create a “rapport.”

4. Rap Therapy in School Counseling Based
on Don Elligan’s Rap Therapy
 By: TIPHANIE GONALEZ and B. GRANT HAYES
University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA

5.  Rap music can engage a
population of youth who
can often be apprehensive
about entering counseling
 To determine how rap
culture relates to inner city
youth
 The benefits of using Dr.
Elligan’s Rap Therapy
with at risk youth

6.  Clinical Psychologist who
provides culturally sensitive
therapy for children, adults, and
families.
 Consultation and training on
issues of diversity and
organizational development.
 Produced Everyday Psychology
on YouTube. Developed EQ
LIFE SKILLS (a parenting app)
and HERO App (an anti-bully
training app) for iPhone and
author of Rap Therapy (2004).

7.  Identify and openly discuss
cultural differences and
issues.
 Gain respect of individuals
who are culturally different
themselves.
 Use verbal and non-verbal
(body language) responses to
communicate with diverse
individuals and/or groups.
 Use multiple viewpoints in
problem-solving.
 Employ critical thinking
skills.
Skills

8. Intervention
 Recognition of musical
preferences/rap music as part of
cultural identity
 Counselors implement listening
opportunities beyond typical
subgenres; clients writing lyrics
 These steps begin to build an
awareness of at risk behavior
 Offers the individual
empowerment and hope for
change.

9.  Attitude/Awareness
 An understanding that
differences are valuable
 Learning about others who
are culturally different is
necessary and rewarding
 Believes that cultural
differences do not have to
interfere with effective
communication or
meaningful relationships;
“starts with gaining a
rapport”
 Continual self-reflection,
willing to “step back” and
change assumptions, values,
and biases when necessary
 Willing to change; a belief
that change is necessary and
positive

10.  Https://youtu.be/lEsvouotTb0
 H.Y.P.E. “Healing Young People through Empowerment”
 Five African American teenage boys are required to attend therapy
once a week with Dr. Winfrey.
 Hip hop is something that is culturally and historically tied to slavery,
the blues, and jazz. People are universally connected to it.
 Dr. Winfrey incorporated Hip hop into her sessions with the hope of
building a “rapport”
 Primarily to help young black males
 “Chris” said HYPE helped with better emotional management; writing
lyrics instead of turning to violence as a solution to his anger towards
others. HYPE may be sign of hope through healing.

11.  Barriers
 Lack of self-awareness
 Biases about cultural differences
 An inability to effectively treat potential clients
 Fear of change
1. Negativity toward the process
2. Rap is not your “thing”

12.  Keep an open mind
 Music is universal
 Music promotes freedom
of expression
 Music is resilient
 Music intervention
creates opportunities to
“bridge the cultural gap.”

13.  Gonzalez, T., & Hayes, B. (2009). Rap therapy in school
counseling based on Don Elligan's rap therapy. Journal of
Creativity in Mental Health, 4 , 161-172.
doi:10.101080/15401380902945293