A new drumming circle class offered the second Thursday of every month by Heritage Hospice in New Kensington provides an alternative to traditional grief therapy or counseling. The first class was held Thursday.
“We're looking at alternative ways of being able to meet people as they go through the grief process,” said Cynthia Kinney, bereavement counselor. “Sometimes it is very difficult for them to talk about things, but through the arts and music it is an avenue for them to, in a sense, open their hearts.”
The class is led by a music therapy intern, Ashley Taylor, who prompts participants to think of a certain experience or feeling before starting to play. They can choose to talk about how they are feeling at the end or not.
Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach her at 724-226-4680, emilybalser@tribweb or on Twitter @emilybalser.
