Holding Equitable Space: Intersectionality and Marginalization in the Face of Music Therapy

Equitable. Equity. Marginalized. Intersectionality. Therapy. Mental Health. Self Care. Wellness. LGBTQ. BIPOC. Find Your Voice Music Therapy. Counselling. Coaching. Kingston Ontario. Halifax Nova Scotia

“Fairness does not mean everyone gets the same. 

Fairness means everyone gets what they need” – Richard Riordan: The Red Pyramid

[Source: Jennifer Buchanen’s Health Entrepreneur’s HUB Webinars]

The term intersectionality was coined by black feminist scholar Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw in 1989. “Intersectionality” represents an analytic framework that attempts to identify how interlocking systems of power impact those who are most marginalized in society.   Systems of marginalization include disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, and nationality. 

At Find Your Voice Music Therapy it is of high value that we provide safe and equitable spaces for the people we serve including those with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ + folks, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and other historically marginalized communities.  When we use the word equitable vs. equality we are stating that we believe in the importance of accessibility and fairness to all individuals. 

We recognize many of us on the FYVMT team come from a place of privilege.  For us this means there are many important factors that influence our learning and growth as we strive to provide the best possible music therapy, counselling, and coaching services to our communities.

1)  We strive to move forward with self-awareness of how our actions/ words impact our community and the relationships we build in the Katarokwi/ Kingston, ON and K’jipuktuk/ Halifax, NS areas.  We aim to create meaningful connections. 

2)  We have aims for accessibility in our music therapy and counselling session- through our mobile services and Gift of Music Therapy program.  It is always a priority for us that we continue to reflect on how to best move forward with implementing additional resources for our communities.

3)  We listen – intensely listen – to the voices of our marginalized communities.  This is important as these individuals offer critical and extensive knowledge to shift barriers and influence diverse perspectives.  They deserve to have safe space and for their voices to be amplified.

4)  We continue to reflect and process deeply so our intentions remain ethical and heart centred. 

If you have story to share we would be grateful to hold space.  We would love to connect so we can learn from you!

In song,
Mackenzie Costron
Owner and Founder of Find Your Voice Music Therapy
1-800-827-3120 ext 101
[email protected]