Children’s Medical Center Dallas Offers a Variety of Music Therapy Groups
Music therapy is a type of treatment that utilizes musical experiences to build therapeutic relationships between a music therapist and patient. It has the potential to improve physical, emotional, cognitive, social well-being for individuals with various health conditions. It has been used successfully in hospitals, schools, psychiatric centers and other healthcare settings to meet various needs.
Music therapy offers numerous tangible and long-lasting advantages. Research has indicated that it can be beneficial in many areas such as pain relief, stress reduction, improved self-esteem, cognitive development, increased mobility and more.
Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that music therapy can enhance speech skills for children with autism and other disabilities. It also assists them in developing and expressing feelings through songwriting, improvisation, or other creative activities.
At Children’s Medical Center Dallas, licensed and board-certified Music Therapists are an integral part of the health care team in PICU, NICU, Hematology & Oncology, Behavioral Health, as well as other departments within the hospital. They provide assessments, evaluations and treatments both individually and in group settings; qualified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (MT-BC) with at least a bachelor’s degree in music therapy.
Wee Bee Jammin’: Every Thursday morning from 11:00 a.m. to noon on the 7th floor Play Deck, Wee Bee Jammin’ offers music classes for children aged one through six with activities such as singing familiar children’s songs, instrument exploration and playtime, games or movement to music.
School Age Rock: For patients 7-12 years old, this weekly music group meets on Fridays from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 n.p. on the 7th floor Play Deck. They explore various musical topics and instruments like songwriting, drumming, and creating music-based art pieces.
*Open Mic Night: Held every fourth Thursday (excluding flu season) in the GCH lobby (1st floor), this event welcomes any patients, family members, friends or hospital staff who would like to share a talent or encourage others.
Sara holds a Bachelor of Science in Music and Master of Arts in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. She is board certified as both a music therapist and member of the American Music Therapy Association, with an affinity for children’s musical talents and skillset. Working closely with these children allows Sara to nurture and develop her clients’ abilities further.
Taylor Brown, MT-BC is the music therapist at Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). There, she works with newborns undergoing difficult procedures or facing other difficulties like feeding issues. By incorporating music into their routines, Taylor helps both the newborns and their parents cope with physical and emotional changes they are going through.
She educates parents about infant noise levels and how to best support their baby’s development during a hospital stay. As the primary therapist for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Le Bonheur, she has seen firsthand the many beneficial effects of music therapy on babies who must endure extended stays in the NICU.
