Julia Maslen hopes to foster a sense of community through intuitive healing with her healing circles. Sydney Richelieu / The Forecaster
Julia Maslen never questioned who she was when she was growing up. While she never viewed LGBTQ+ people as “bad,” she said, to her they seemed “different” and “other.” She married a man and went on to have two children. Then, just before turning 40, Maslen experienced a shift in her sexuality and now identifies as queer.
Maslen is the owner of Let it Shine, a counseling service in Falmouth, where she also lives. A licensed clinical professional counselor, she’s hoping during Pride Month to expand communication around healing in the LGBTQ+ community. On Sunday, June 18, she will hold a free healing circle at 2 p.m. at Twin Brooks Recreation Area in Cumberland.
“Last summer, I got a strong intuitive message telling me to start a healing circle,” she said. “We come together in a circle, and we share some personal stories or struggles.”
Participants also may share how they’ve worked through their struggles and how they’ve overcome challenges, and all of the discussion takes place in a safe space free from judgment, she said.
The circles are based on intuitive healing, which works with energy centers, or chakras, to help clear the psyche of anxiety or negative emotions.
“Our energy holds stuck emotions that we haven’t processed. It holds belief systems,” Maslen said.
Healing circles are calm and safe spaces to experience emotions, she said.
“It’s this beautiful space where we show up as real,” Maslen said.
Representation is key in healing practices, according to Cumberland-based neurodiversity coach Pasha Marlowe.
“In this particular culture and climate we’re in, it’s especially important for people in the LGBTQ+ community to know where it’s safe to call, or communicate, or gather,” Marlowe said.
Each month, Maslen’s healing circles focus on a specific topic. This month, it’s self image, which is especially important during Pride Month, she said. Not all the circles are exclusive to the LGBTQ+ community and they provide positive benefits to everyone, she said.
That positivity is tremendous for Maslen. When asked what makes her healing circles so special, she became teared up.
“They’re happy tears,” Maslen said, smiling. “I’m creating the community I’ve always wanted. I’ve searched my whole life for my people and my community. This is it.”
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