Swaying With The Seasons:
A Music Therapy Group Series
for LGBTQIA+ Adults
South Portland
“How is it that music can, without words, evoke our laughter, our fears, our highest aspirations?”
― Jane Swan
Why This Group
Queer and trans folks often move through seasons of change without a space built for that experience, coming out, transition, chosen family, grief, reinvention. This four-week series offers a space where LGBTQIA+ adults can explore identity, connection, and change together, through music, play, and the safety of witnessing and being witnessed. This group is for non-musicians, musicians and everyone in between! No musical skill is required, only a willingness to show up and see what moves through you.
What We’ll Do Together
Engage in grounding prompts that may include journaling, doodling, breathing or mindfulness exercises
Explore music-based improvisation as a group, no experience or instrument skill needed
Check in as a group to collect topics and themes that feel most resonant to the current session
Utilize additional music therapy techniques including song writing and song sharing to further expand and uplift group themes
Identify ways music can be a tool for grounding, inspiration, regulation, processing and more
Close with individual reflections and intentions for care between sessions, honoring the practice of witnessing and being witnessed
Details
Date/Time: Four Monday evenings, 6:00–7:30pm:
October 5, October 19, November 2, November 16
Drop-in format: Join us for one session or all four
Location: Heart Stone Counseling/Carriage House
967 Broadway South Portland
Fee: $45 per session, or $165 for the full series
Bring a friend and you'll each save $10—$35 for one session or $155 for the full series when you register together
Bring: A journal and an instrument (optional) *there will be small percussive instruments available for use if you do not own an instrument or want to bring one
Group size: 3–12 participants
Facilitator
Kelsey Raftis LCPC, MT-BC
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A board-certified music therapist and musician, Kelsey brings years of experience creating and holding special group spaces working with survivors of sexual violence and people living with eating disorders and trauma. Throughout their career, Kelsey has prioritized creating affirming spaces for queer and trans folks, and they're excited to share their love of music and connection with the Heart Stone community.