Hip-hop therapy (HHT) is a contemporary approach to mental health treatment that considers the profound impact of hip-hop culture and its capacity to promote individual and communal transformation. Dr. Edgar Tyson (1963-2018) coined the term and created the foundational model in 1996.
Multiple therapeutic disciplines include expressive arts therapy, narrative therapy, bibliotherapy, mindfulness teachings, CBT, and DBT. The work also includes a group therapy element.
Research has proven that HHT can help “reduce depression and anxiety, improve emotional expression, expand communication and interpersonal skills". Findings show that hip-hop therapy is effective for clinicians to use “not only to build rapport but to give their clients a voice.”