Music Therapy

Our highly trained music therapists work with your child’s care team to provide the best possible care. No prior experience with music is necessary in order to benefit from music therapy. Our Music Therapy Program is generously funded by the Riley Cheer Guild.

Board-certified music therapists carry the MT-BC designation after their name. They have completed a degree in music therapy, a six-month internship and have passed a national examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Some music therapists continue their education in master s degrees and doctoral programs in music therapy or a related field.

Music therapy interventions may include:

• Playing instruments
• Writing songs
• Singing
• Making Music Videos/ Recordings
• Music Improvisation
• Listening to music
• Learning to play new instruments
• Music assisted movement

Music therapy goals can benefit children in the following ways:

• Help decrease pain
• Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
• Improve physical, cognitive, and speech-language rehabilitation
• Support developmental and educational needs
• Provide appropriate infant stimulation
• Provide family support
• Provide grief and bereavement support
• Increase positive coping with hospitalization