That is just one example of the benefits music therapy can provide to oncology patients, one of my favorite populations to work with. Music therapy can be an integral part of continuous supportive cancer care, enhancing both medical treatments and rehabilitation.
Read MorePercussion walls can target so many different goals and work on a variety of skills while being a fun gathering space for kids with and without disabilities to play together.
Read MoreThese goals are addressed by using rhythm, melody and movement techniques. For example, rhythmic auditory cueing is a technique in which rhythm is used to facilitate movement and improve gait. This is done by providing a uniform beat that acts as an external cue to guide a patient’s movements and has been shown to benefits gait, walking speed and stride length.
Read MoreI’ve partnered with Lucy’s Love Bus, a wonderful nonprofit that sponsors non-medical therapy services for children with cancer and their families, for a monthly ukulele club called Lucy’s Aloha Band for kids from all over New England.
This group isn't a traditional music therapy group since we didn't do intakes or evaluations of clients – it's more for fun and social/community-building, as well as expression. Generally, if kids are experiencing pain or anxiety, music will help reduce those, but that isn't a goal that we specifically talk about or address in the group.
Ukulele is a great instrument for beginners, non-musicians, and especially for kids (because of its small size!).
Read MoreMusic therapy assessment tools look at every aspect of a patient’s health, including social-emotional, cognitive and physical. I often use the same assessment tools that other therapy modalities use.
Read More“I could keep ‘perfecting’ it ad nauseum,” wrote one participant. “Instead, I am being vulnerable and sharing it unfinished, too dramatic at times, a little slow in tempo, and altogether quite imperfect. Yet the process was powerful for me and re-awakened some parts of me that have been quiet for a couple of decades.”
Read MoreAlthough I work with many different ages and populations as a music therapist, my work primarily focuses on oncology patients, and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and brain injury. I also work with people experiencing general stress. I develop clear goals and objectives for each individual client that work in conjunction with their overall plan of care using both interactive and receptive music therapy techniques.
Read MoreThrough music therapy, clients' abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. For example, music therapy was an integral part of Congresswoman Gabby Gifford’s rehabilitation to regain her speech after surviving a bullet wound to her brain… Music therapists work with adults with Parkinson’s disease to improve motor function and older adults to lessen the effects of Alzheimer’s. Music therapy can reduce physical pain and provide emotional support for clients and their families.
Read MoreThis holiday season, send a song. It’s a simple, environmentally friendly and totally unique gift.
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