Music therapy is the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Music has nonverbal, creative, structural, and emotional qualities. These are used in the therapeutic relationship to facilitate contact, interaction, self-awareness, learning, self-expression, communication, and personal development.

Canadian Association for Music Therapy / Association de Musicothérapie du Canada
Annual General Meeting, Vancouver, British Columbia, May 6, 1994

Research shows its countless benefits to children with serious illnesses. According to one study conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center, music therapy for patients who have undergone a bone-marrow transplant reduces their reports of pain and nausea and may even play a role in quickening the pace at which the new marrow starts producing blood cells. It has also shown to encourage expression of feelings. Difficult issues and painful realities, such as fear, grief, bereavement, and even explanations of medical procedures are explored warmly and creatively during music therapy sessions.

Following an initial assessment, the music therapist develops a plan of care to enhance and complement the treatment the child is receiving. A variety of music techniques are then used during a session (typically lasting 30-60 minutes) to address the specialized needs of each child. Sessions are designed to offer a positive experience for the child and his/her family, and are often recorded or videotaped for keepsake. Methods used during music therapy include:

Needs of hospitalized children vary according to age, developmental level, family relationships, and stage of illness or treatment. Through the process of creating and responding to music, significant benefits arise for a child and his/her family, including:

» Facilitate expression of feelings
» Increase and enhance social interaction
» Promote positive aspects of a child's life
» Provide opportunity to exercise choice/control
» Assist in reducing pain and anxiety
» Promote relaxation and sleep
» Promote exercise and activity
» Provide comfort
» Enhance quality of life
» Increase meaningful interactions with family members

Music therapy is an established profession recognized in over 70 countries world-wide. To become an accredited music therapist requires completion of a 4-year Bachelor in Music Therapy and a post-degree 1000-hour internship. The Canadian Association for Music Therapy established in 1974 sets the standards for practise and ensures continuing education for its membership. Professional services are also provided by the Music Therapy Association of Ontario established in 1994. Currently there are approximately 450 music therapists in Canada and 120 in Ontario.

For over 130 years, The Hospital for Sick Children (affectionately known as SickKids) has been contributing to the health and well being of children, with many of the 20th century's most important research discoveries and treatment innovations taking place within its walls.

Today it stands as one of the top three children's centres in the world, with a reputation for excellence in paediatric care, research and education.

Underlying SickKids efforts is the desire to make the lives of children and their families better. This includes improving the quality of life for our most compromised patients through the provision of complementary programs such as Music Therapy to help restore a child's emotional and psychological well being.

Music therapy is an established profession recognized in over 70 countries world-wide. It involves the skilful use of music by a trained therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

SickKids launched its music therapy program in 1999 based on research showing its countless benefits to children with serious illnesses. According to one study conducted at the University of Rochester Medical Center, music therapy for patients who have undergone a bone-marrow transplant reduces their reports of pain and nausea and may even play a role in quickening the pace at which the new marrow starts producing blood cells. It has also shown to encourage expression of feelings. Difficult issues and painful realities, such as fear, grief, bereavement, and even explanations of medical procedures are explored warmly and creatively during music therapy sessions. Combined with a patient's clinical treatments, music therapy has been proven to help some of the hospital's sickest children.

Today, SickKids employs two accredited music therapists and one intern who provide individualized assessment and treatment plans for children in its Haematology/Oncology Unit and for children requiring end-of-life care through the Palliative and Bereavement Care Services.

Ruth J. Roberts, MMT, MTA
Ruth initiated ongoing music therapy services for the Haematology/Oncology Unit at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children in Feb. 1999. In 2001, the Music Therapy program was expanded and made available to children receiving care through SickKids Palliative Care and Bereavment Services. Prior to her work in music therapy Ruth was a Registered Nurse for 20 years in a variety of settings across Canada and the US. Through the Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1988 and her Bachelor of Music Therapy in 1996. She later became in 2003, among the first graduates of the University's Master of Music Therapy degree. She has mentored graduate students and is currently supervising a music therapy intern on the Eating Disorders Unit at SickKids. She currently serves as Ethics Chair for the Music Therapy Association of Ontario. She has given oral and poster presentations in Canada and abroad - most recently at the Japanese Music Therapy Conference, Sept 2007.

Faiona M. Millwood
Faiona Millwood joined SickKids in 2007 to provide an expanded music therapy service to children through SickKids Palliative Care and Bereavement Services. Prior to SickKids, Faiona worked in a number of healthcare and community settings, receiving her music therapy training at various hospitals, schools and rehabilitation centres in the United States. She completed her Masters in Music Therapy at New York University after years of education in pre-medicine, music and performing arts. New York University's medical psychodynamic music therapy training allowed her to take a multi-disciplined approach to the art of music therapy in a medical setting. With her diverse background, Faiona is able to use a multitude of instruments - musical and vocal - to design the most effective treatment for each child and their family.