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Music Therapy: A Rhythm of Healing
The grounding presence of a beating drum. The strength of a heartfelt lyric proclaimed over and over again. The frustration of learning a new instrument and the pride that comes with mastering it. These are the experiences that Shodair’s Music Therapy Program brings to our patients. They’re real and they’re raw. Challenging, yet full of excitement. But most importantly, they play an integral role in patient success at Shodair – giving each individual the unique tools they need to explore emotions, cope with past trauma, and build relationships in a safe and accepting space.
“Music is one of those things that crosses most barriers. Whether it’s analyzing the lyrics of a song or learning to play something new, music gives patients somewhere positive to focus their attention – taking an otherwise vulnerable situation and creating an environment where we’re all doing the same thing. Music is naturally a form of self-expression, which can be extremely valuable for our patients.”
What exactly does Shodair’s Music Therapy Program entail? An important part of our Allied Therapy Department, Music Therapy comes alongside a patient’s comprehensive care plan, providing opportunities for both group and individual sessions. In a group setting, patients come together with their unit once a week (7-10 individuals) to engage in and explore different elements of music. Sometimes it’s playing instruments like the guitar, drums, ukulele, or keyboard, and sometimes it’s rewriting lyrics to songs, identifying positive qualities through rhythmic sound, or breaking out into the occasional karaoke session. Once established, if a child expresses further interest (or a provider recommends it), patients can also begin to attend individual sessions – where they can pursue their passion for music, bring in their own instruments, learn to play news ones, or strengthen their emotional skills through one-on-one sessions with our music therapist.
No matter the medium or setting, each music session at Shodair is rooted in two important elements. The first is the use of patient-preferred music – a tool that brings instant familiarity and comfort into an environment, resulting in an increased level of vulnerability. And the second is therapeutic intention. From day one, patients meet with our music therapist and are invited into the overall care process. Together, they work to gauge interest, define challenges, establish goals, and create a therapeutic treatment plan that doesn’t just work toward success, but promotes fun and patient inclusion at all levels.
At Shodair, music is far more than a coping mechanism or form of entertainment. It’s a rhythm of healing.
“Our primary focus is to use music-based interventions to facilitate a relationship with the kids that we serve. And while I enjoy every day with the kids, I get most excited when I can sit down and see a change in their character – see a new smile. I love watching them be totally engaged and begin to see themselves as successful in a way that they enjoy. What we’re doing here is making a difference, and that really matters.”
Shodair is on a mission to heal, help and inspire hope. To learn more about our therapeutic programs and Allied Therapy Department, visit our services page or schedule a consultation by calling (406) 444-7500.
