What is Music Therapy?
Patients at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital enjoy music therapy in individual sessions that help children and families cope with pain, stress, fear, isolation, medical procedures and being in the hospital. Research shows that music affects mental, physical and emotional states. These qualities make it a valuable and effective tool in helping children and families recover their health and wellbeing, especially within the hospital.
Music therapy is the use of music to achieve specific, non-musical goals and is provided by a board-certified music therapist. Our music therapists take a multidisciplinary approach, frequently working alongside physicians, nurses, psychology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other staff members to address the individual needs of each patient and their family.
Benefits
The benefits of music therapy include, but are not limited to:
- Relief from pain and discomfort
- Reduction of stress
- Improved understanding of medical treatment
- Improved coping
- Empowerment to participate and have control in treatment
- Strengthened family bonds
- Continued developmental growth
- Improved patient and family satisfaction
Services
The Music Therapy Department currently serves all intensive care units and the Cancer and Blood Disorders unit. All services, equipment and personnel are funded by generous donors from the community.
Referrals are made through any staff member on the team (nurses, physicians, Child Life specialists and more) and can be requested by families.
Currently, our music therapy team provides services between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
History of Music Therapy at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
Music therapy has been a part of the interdisciplinary team at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital since 1993. Through generous donations and funding by community members throughout the years, music therapy has existed as a full-time program in collaboration with the Patient and Family Centered Care Division. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital has also served as a national roster clinical training site for music therapy interns and has resulted in the training of numerous music therapists. Since the inception of the music therapy program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, more than 22,000 patient interactions have occurred within music therapy.
Elijah's Song
A young patient who received a frightening diagnosis and bravely powered through cancer treatment was so moved by the care and the friendships at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital that he decided to write a special song to say ‘thank you.’ Watch Elijah's inspiring story.
For More Information
Give us a call

Send us an email
