Peoples Music Therapy

Are the forms used in your practice inclusive of various sexual orientations and gender identities (e.g., opportunities to fill in pronouns, etc.)?

—Yes

Do all individuals involved in the care of individuals accessing your services ask about pronouns and use them appropriately?

—Yes, to some extent

We are always learning

Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for trans individuals accessing your services? Please describe some of these below.

—Yes

Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for Two-Spirit individuals accessing your services? Please describe some of these below.

—Yes, to some extent

We recognize that the medical system is a colonial system that has traditionally pathologized behaviours and lifestyles that would have been normal before contact with European settlers. One of these is gender norms and this has resulted in re-traumatizing individuals seeking wellness who's identity is seen as abnormal.

Are all individuals involved in the care of individuals accessing your services comfortable asking relevant questions about gender identity and sexual orientation?

—Yes

Are you and your colleagues aware of what specific barriers may exist for LGBQ individuals accessing your services? Please describe some of these below.

—Yes, to some extent

We have staff that are part of the LGBQ community. We hope that there are few barriers in accessing services from us. We are also aware that members of this community have often had adverse experiences with treatment centres due to sexual orientation and that homosexuality was in the DSM only a few decades ago.

Can you and your colleagues distinguish gender/identity dysphoria/distress from mental health conditions?

—Yes

Do all individuals involved in the care of individuals accessing your services receive specific training on cultural humility? Is yes, please type below how frequent this training is.

—Yes, to some extent

We convene once a month to discuss our practice/clients. We all have various training that we share with one another at these meetings. This is also a fundamental part of working as a music therapist.

Does your practice have gender-neutral washrooms?

—No

We don't have washrooms.

Are there clear anti-discrimination policies that include gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation in your organization or practice?

—Yes

Are all individuals involved in service provision actively engaged in decolonizing their practices and/or organization? If yes, please type below what actions you and/or your organization are taking.

—Yes, to some extent

Our leadership is required to take the Sanyas training program or similar. However, we are a for-profit private health company that works within the capitalist colonial system; we try to be self-aware of this facet. The grass roots of our company grew out of work with Indigenous youth.

Are all individuals involved in service provision actively engaged in anti-racist practices, policies, and systems in their care model?

—Yes