3090.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - 2:30 PM

Abstract #11106

Rap Therapy: A Culturally Sensitive Approach to Psychotherapy With African American Youth

Don G. Elligan, PhD, Behaviorial Health, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, Boston Ma, 895 Bluehill Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124, (617) 880-7935, elligan@bu.edu

Learning Objectives: Rap Therapy’s theoretical foundation is based on principles of social psychology and learning theory. It’s application is augmented through concepts and techniques of cognitive behavior therapy. Rap Therapy neither endorses nor admonishes rap music’s presence and influence on urban youth of color. Rap Therapy is utilized as a culturally sensitive approach of psychotherapy for urban youth of color whose social development has been significantly influenced by the omnipresent images and stimuli of rap music. Rap Therapy can be utilized as a means for promoting recovery from a range of issues including but not limited to behavior problems, grief, emotional pain, and dysfunctional cognition's. Rap therapy can be utilized in both individual and group models of psychotherapy. The theory and use of Rap Therapy is described with an illustrative case of an African American boy coping with the recent death of his father

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Cenetr (Boston, Ma)
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA