Lalagaina o Manatu: Weaving Pasifika wellbeing approaches into Music Therapy for enhanced practice in disability learning support setting.

There is great paucity within the field of music therapy regarding the integration of Pasifika knowledge, methodologies, and approaches. Thus, this research aimed to explore ways in which Pasifika perspectives of wellbeing could be woven into music therapy practice within the context of a disability learning support setting.

This qualitative research used an action-based critical autoethnography design. There were a total of four cycles, three of which lasted six weeks, and one cycle that lasted two weeks. This short cycle was vital in addressing some discomforts that emerged around ableist beliefs and language that spiralled beneath and within the space between cycles one, two, and four. All data was thematically analysed, and actions were generated through the emerging themes and implemented into subsequent cycles to improve my practice.

Findings from this study indicate the possibilities of appropriately and respectfully integrating Pasifika concepts of wellbeing into the practice of music therapy. Prominent themes that emerged were around the concept of ‘le va’ (relational space) and navigating the balance between cultural and practitioner identity. This study illuminated that development of practice requires one to examine how equalized their relational and therapeutic spaces are. Moreover, it highlighted the importance of challenging familiar belief structures that no longer align with the spaces and contexts in which music therapists are called to work.

The scope I aimed to investigate was complex given the limited time and novice researcher skills I currently possess. I acknowledge that due to the scope of the project it was not possible to utilize more Pasifika methodological frameworks and theories. Further investigation into the integration of Pasifika knowledge into the field of music therapy, supported by these methodological frameworks and theories has been recommended.

This work has been inspired by extensive contributions of many Pasifika practitioners in various fields of practice. The work of Dr Byron Seiuli (2012), and Dr Julia Ioane’s (2022) work in the fields of counselling psychology and psychotherapy has had an immense impact on this specific study. Additionally, the contributions of Māori and Indigenous Music Therapists including Carolyn Kenny (1989), Dennis Kahui (2008), and Ruby Solly (2019), have been significant.