ABSTRACT
This chapter guides clients through the use of a musical autobiography assessment and a critical lyric analysis activity, helping them nonverbally express their needs and experiences and manage nonacceptance and vulnerability. It focuses on an autobiography assessment activity and critical lyric analysis homework assignment created for practitioners who would like to build rapport and process emotions with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) clients. The musical autobiography assessment activity assesses psychological coping strategies through musical interests and preferences. These activities can be especially helpful for clients who have difficulty expressing their feelings through traditional talk therapy or for clients who have not come out to family and friends. LGBTQ clients can benefit from the use of music in counseling sessions especially to express opinions, experiences, and identities that may be difficult to discuss in their friend and family circles, as many LGBTQ clients struggle with being accepted within their communities.
