Mapping queer spaces in music therapy: A conceptual framework

Increasing clinical and academic attention has been given to music therapy with LGBTQ+ clients. As part of this process, we introduce the "Queer Spaces in Music Therapy" (QS-in-MT) framework, a conceptual roadmap designed to address therapeutic challenges encountered by LGBTQ+ individuals in music therapy. Based on previous research, two main themes were found to be typically challenging in LGBTQ+ therapy and were then orthogonally superimposed to form a two-dimensional framework. The first theme refers to the client’s queer vs. heteronormative perspectives and is delineated as the x-axis continuum. The second theme refers to the client’s feelings of belonging vs. loneliness and is delineated as the y-axis continuum. The framework and the four “queer spaces” that it forms, offer therapists ways to better understand, interpret, and subsequently support clients on their journey. A clinical case study is provided to demonstrate the practical implementation of the QS-in-MT framework. Different pivotal points from the clinical process are presented and then explained using the framework. It is shown how different musical interventions and activities, such as improvisation on various instruments, engagement with familiar and original songs, and vocal exploration, serve as vehicles of change in the clinical process, and how these changes are clearly presented and articulated using the framework. In the discussion, possible uses of the QS-in-MT framework are presented within different contexts, such as in supervision, with colleagues, and with the client. Limitations of the framework are also provided as well as possible directions to further develop it.