Music Therapy
At UNC Children’s Hospital, our music therapist works with patients and families to improve health and wellbeing through evidence-based music intervention. Music therapy sessions may address physical, psychological, cognitive, social, communication, or spiritual goals and can involve a variety of music experiences including instrument playing, singing, songwriting, musical play, music listening, music discussion, therapeutic music instruction, recording projects, and music-assisted relaxation. Our music therapist serves patients of all ages, from birth through young adulthood.
Goals of Inpatient Music Therapy
- Provide developmental support
- Provide procedural support
- Provide pre- and post-operative support
- Provide opportunities for legacy building
- Provide neurological enhancement
- Provide family and sibling support
- Promote emotional expression and processing
- Promote normalization of the hospital environment
- Promote physiological regulation
- Increase opportunities for social interaction
- Increase positive sensory stimulation
- Increase self-expression
- Decrease perception of pain
- Improve verbal/non-verbal communication
- Improve motor function
- Reduce anxiety
- Develop positive coping skills
Individuals Who May Benefit from Music Therapy
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Developmental Delays
- Neurological Disorders
- Premature Infants
- Hematology/Oncology Disorders
- Traumatic Injuries
- Chronic Illnesses
- Mental Health Disorders
Services
Music therapy serves all floors of the UNC Children’s Hospital, including the following specialty areas:
- Inpatient Pediatric Floors
- North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center
- Newborn Critical Care Center
- Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
- Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Family-Centered Care
Your family is important to us. During music therapy sessions, we will include you in your child’s plan of care. We believe you play an essential role in your child’s recovery.
