At MassGeneral Hospital for Children, music therapy sessions can be anything from learning to play musical instruments, listening to music, or writing songs and recording them to share with loved ones. No musical ability is necessary!
Research has shown that music therapy can improve mood, reduce anxiety and stress, and help to alleviate chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and pain.
The American Music Therapy Association says, “Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music.”
The expressive arts programs at MGHfC are funded 100% through philanthropy. This means that we rely on donors to keep our programs going strong. These donors are family members of patients who have had an important interaction with a music therapist, philanthropists who understand the power of music and previous patients who have had a meaningful experience with music therapy at MGHfC. In other words, it could be YOU! If you have had an important experience with music therapy here at MGHfC, you can help ensure that another patient can benefit from the same experience in the future. Please help us with our efforts to maintain and expand our patients’ access to music therapy.