Music therapy happens when a music therapist uses music purposefully to achieve therapeutic goals which support development, health and well-being. A music therapist may be a part of your child’s healthcare team at CHEO. A music therapist uses music as a safe, non-invasive approach to address physical, emotional, social, or other needs. Music therapy can help in a variety of ways— music activates most parts of the brain.
Music therapy is a versatile tool. It can play a role in:
- expressing emotions
- expressing creativity
- lowering anxiety
- reducing the perception of pain
- improving relaxation
- making stay at CHEO more positive
- providing more choice/control to patients
- aiding in physical and cognitive rehabilitation
- enhancing quality of life
- decreasing feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness, fear, or agitation
- addressing isolation
- supporting patient and family during end-of-life and bereavement
If you feel your child or youth would benefit from music therapy services during a clinic visit or outpatient procedure, please speak to a member of your care team who can start the referral process.
For general questions about Music Therapy services at CHEO, please call 613-737-7600 ext. 2321.
Visit the Canadian Association of Music Therapists for more information on the profession.
Donate
To help make music therapy accessible to every patient, we need your help. We are grateful for to Long & McQuade for their support of music therapy at CHEO and CHEO School.
If you'd like to make a donation to support music therapy at CHEO, please visit CHEO Foundation. In the drop-bar “I am giving in response to:” choose “Other” and indicate “Child-Life – Music Therapy” in the space for “Additional Information”
Thank you for your support!