The Professional Counselor | Volume 13, Issue 4 455 engaged in group trauma therapy with adolescents, she would use drumming as a way to connect members. They would begin with a smudge and then one person would choose a song and either drum and sing individually or ask the group to join if they happen to know the song. Individuals of all identities can drum, as the practice is not exclusively Indigenous (e.g., there are music therapy degrees that incorporate drumming for all). Anyone can drum, as it comes from within; one doesn’t have to be a musician or take lessons. Drumming can be used with myriad client issues, including depression, oppression, anxiety, affect regulation, substance use, and identity strengthening. As noted in the prior paragraph, drumming can connect members of a group to enhance social interest (Sperry et al., 2021) or create a sense of belonging and humanization (Craddock et al., 2022). Ethical Considerations In considering the ethics of applying drumming with clients, there are several points to keep in mind. First, like the above directives with smudging, for non-Indigenous practitioners, it is essential that practitioners adhere to standard C.2.a. Boundaries of Competence (ACA, 2014) and read about, research, and study—and ideally receive training or experience with—the practice of drumming. Potential areas of learning include understanding the historical roots and practices of drumming, recognizing the impact of colonialism and contemporary culture on the practice (Quarshie, 2023), and use of drumming in contemporary healing practices (Rojiani et al., 2022; Rowe et al., 2023), all of which support adherence to standard C.2.b. New Specialty Areas of Practice (ACA, 2014). In addition, counselors can describe the practice, meaning, and impacts of drumming both in advertising and verbally with clients. Adaptation Possibilities When drumming with clients whose ancestors may have used the practice, such as African Americans, similar to the suggestions for smudging, it is important to explore their awareness of their identities and roots, encourage research around their ancestors’ ceremonial practices, or research such histories collaboratively. Explore their perspectives and emotions around what is discovered; what has been lost to colonialism, enslavement, genocide, and other historical traumas; and how they wish to proceed with drumming as a practice in collaboration with the counselor. Drumming: A Case Example Zane, a non-Indigenous, African American client sought counseling because of feeling depressed following several failed romantic relationships. Zane explained to the counselor that he had a recent “aha” moment when he realized he kept breaking up with his partners because he didn’t know who he was. His insight came after watching a movie on African American history and realizing he wasn’t sure of who he was, where he was from, or any cultural practices of his African American ancestors. Zane asked, “How am I supposed to know what I want in others when I don’t even know myself”? The counselor explored with Zane what parts of the movie called him to his “aha” moment. He explained that it was a part in which African ceremonies were taking place and that the drumming had immediately brought him to tears. Throughout the next few sessions Zane and his counselor explored his African roots, and he ordered a drum kit so that he could make his own drum. Zane also reached out to a local African organization and began attending a bimonthly community event that promotes African culture and song. Over time and across the counseling sessions, Zane’s mood appeared to significantly improve. He began to discuss additional ways of researching his identity and to also consider the implication of these explorations on his dating choices going forward.
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