Exploring Queer Music Therapy with LGBTQ+ Adolescents: A case study

The complexity and multifaceted nature of queer identity, particularly among adolescents, constitutes a significant area of inquiry. This article reports on a qualitative case study aimed at exploring the impact of a queer music therapy (QMT) model on a dyad of LGBTQ+ adolescents. The music therapy process was designed to facilitate the exploration and expression of queer identity. The study was conducted at a high school in South Africa with two participants. Data collection spanned a six-week period, during which a series of structured music therapy interventions grounded in the QMT paradigm were administered. Interventions included critical lyric analysis, music-centred art processes, musical autobiography, and group anthem writing. The findings were constructed from a thematic analysis of transcribed audio recordings from the sessions, as well as semi-structured interviews. The results show that the music therapy sessions provided participants with a space to explore their queer identities, as well as a space for acceptance, growth, and reflection. Through the reflexive thematic analysis, six overarching themes were identified: (i) navigating queer identity, (ii) mental health challenges and difficult spaces, (iii) the influence of religion, (iv) family interactions, (v) the need for understanding and acceptance, and (vi) the benefit of music therapy.