Remixing the School Counselor's Tool Kit: Exploring Hip-Hop and Spoken Word Therapy Through Lyrical Analysis

• In Event: Innovative Strategies for School Counselors

Abstract

In this paper we describe the benefits of using hip hop and spoken word therapy (HHSWT) within public schools as a counseling framework to address student emotional distress. Generally, urban youth appear significantly less likely to receive care in comparison to their more affluent counterparts. The traditional structures of schools inundate school counselors with administrative work and often strip them of their ability to assist students in times of need. In this study we examined an urban counseling program which used a hip-hop rooted approach to counseling rooted in evidence based practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, in a group counseling setting. Analysis of student lyrics and interviews rendered evidence to support the use of HHSWT with urban youth.

Authors

• Ian Levy, New Visions Charter High School for Advanced Math and Science II

• Christopher Emdin, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Edmund S Adjapong, Teachers College, Columbia University