WORKING WITH LGBTQ CLIENTS
When working with LGBTQ clients, there are many different music therapy experiences that you can use. Some of the main Goals & Objectives to remember however are; increase and explore self-expression, increase and explore self-confidence, increase group cohesion, recognition and acceptance of various forms of identity, and creating of a safe therapeutic environment for all involved.
MUSIC THERAPY EXPERIENCES
There are many different types of experiences that work with LGBTQ clients. The focus should be on empowerment, self-discovery, self-esteem and coping skills. Some interventions used for this include: songwriting, lyric analysis, lyric substitution, musical autobiography, receptive listening, music assisted relaxation, and group anthem writing.
STARTING A GROUP SESSION
A great way to start a session is by simply going around the room and doing introductions. Everyone can say their name, pronouns, and one fact about them. If you want to add a musical element, try doing a body percussion waterfall:
Have everyone stand in a circle
After one person says their introduction (at least name and pronouns), they will start a beat/musical phrase using their body as an instrument (snapping, tapping legs, clapping hands) and then look to the person to their left to signal their turn
While the next person is talking, all music making should be very quiet. After the person has added their sound, music making can be louder until the next person talks (facilitator can help with visual volume cues)
After everyone has said their introduction and added a sound, 1 by 1 the group will stop making their sound in the same order starting with the first person
Afterwards, facilitator can hold brief discussion on how that felt, what the group liked about it
LYRIC ANALYSIS
Listening to songs and then talking about the lyrics with clients is a great way to explore different themes, topics, and self-exploration. This can be done using live or recorded music. It's helpful to have a list of pre-determined questions relating to the message of the song to discuss with clients after listening to the song. For LGBTQ clients, this can include looking at how the song relates to their own identity and experiences.
Songs to use:
Alive - Sia
Believe - Mumford & Sons - talking about 10 things clients believe in & 5 things they don't believe in (provided by Jonathan Wilcoxen, MT-BC)
Same Love - Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert
Against Me - Transgender Dysphoria Blues (explicit)
Born This Way - Lady Gaga
The Kill - 30 Seconds to Mars
True Colors - Cyndi Laupner
The Village - Wrabel, discussing our communities; problems within our communities as well as communities of support (provided by Victoria Gilman Fansler, MT-BC)
We Exist - Arcade Fire
We're the Cool Kids - Ryan Cassata
MUSICAL AUTHOBIOGRAPHY
Doing a musical autobiography is a great way to get to you know clients, and for them to get to know each other. This experience gives the client the chance for them to pick and choose the songs that represent their own journey and growth; a song list that represents their past, current, and future. For LGBTQ clients, this can address their own journey with sexuality and gender. Clients can then share songs off of their own list with the group and a discussion can facilitated around each song.
RECEPTIVE LISTENING
Not all music therapy experiences need to involve music making - listening to music can be just as powerful. While listening to music, clients can be focusing on their breathing, body relaxation, and/or meditating. Music can also be used in conjunction with other activities such as writing or drawing within sessions.
Some examples are:
Song Sensation to "I Am Light" by India Arie (provided by Jennifer Swanson, MMT, MT-BC)
Listen to song twice
1st time: lights dim, relaxed, close eyes if want
2nd time: lights on, have lyrics, write down or draw what comes up for you in relation to lyrics
Feedback-Reflection
What parts of this song stood out as meaningful for you?
What are some feelings that came up?
What did it make you think of?
Is there anything you would change in the lyrics?
Actualizing Song
Play as a group with instruments/singing and lyric changes if made
Coloring Activity to "True Colors" by Cyndi Laupner
Play the song “True Colors” for the group (recording) while passing out clipboards with blank mandala paper, and items to color with
While listening to the song (can repeat it a few times if need be), clients can draw what they consider to be their true colors (can be just color on the page, representation of who they are, a favorite activity/something they like, something completely abstract)
After everyone is done coloring, pass out lyric sheets and lead the group in a live re-creation of song
After the song, see if the clients are willing to share what they drew and lead group discussions based upon their drawings
GROUP ANTHEM WRITING
This experience allows for clients to work together and become united underneath an original song or mantra that is representative of the group. The anthem then can be used as the starting song for each session and can lend a sense of ownership and pride to the group. Writing the song together really allows for the clients to make all of the decisions and work as a cohesive unit. It gives them musical and stylistic freedom, something they may not get in their every day lives.
Example of how this can be facilitated:
Creation of "Group Theme Song" (provided by Jennifer Swanson, MMT, MT-BC)
Discuss and made list on white board of words related to identities of group members, and words that relate to why they are attending group
Pass around notebook, each group member write 1 line, and next person add next line, etc.
Over the course of 3-4 groups, with various group members taking leadership roles, this song was completed with 2 verses and a chorus
Another example:
Anthem re-write to the song "Hymn" by: Kesha (provided by Victoria Gilman Fansler, MT-BC)
Introduce the original song to the group
Talk about common themes that have arrisen
As a group, re-write the lyrics to pertain to the central theme and wants of the group
CLOSING A GROUP SESSION
Closing a session can be a great time for reflection on what happened within the group that day. You can go around and have each members state something they liked and/or disliked or a message/theme they are taking away from the session. In early sessions its also a great way to remind everyone of names and pronouns. Closing of the group can be done using either a song, movement, or verbal discussion. It can also offer time to think about the next session and what the clients may want out of that.
One closing experience:
Go around the circle and state name, pronouns, something they liked about the session today, and what they are feeling. Then give a sound/movement to that feeling
Group will then reflect that sound or movement together back to the person
The person on the left will then go next, and will continue until everyone has gone
CULTURAL AWARENESS
When working with different cultures, it is very important to be aware of any diversity and the power balance that may come into play. This can happen between clients, or between the music therapist and the clients, especially if the music therapist is of a different race or not a member of the community they're working with. Having open, transparent conversations between clients and group leader about cultural differences and awareness is an important step. (Provided by Candice Bain, MT-BC)
Here are some additional resources about cultural awareness:
Journal Prompts to promote cultural awareness
These journal prompts can be used on an individual level to bring more awareness into your own life, or within a session to help facilitate conversations around cultural diversity.