Music Therapy

Music is effective at improving, restoring or maintaining health.

Music therapy is an interpersonal process where therapists use music and all its facets – physical, emotional, mental, social aesthetic and spiritual – to help improve, restore or maintain health.

Music Therapy in Residential Care

Music therapy services at Providence are currently available in residential/elder Care, the new tertiary mental health units at Youville Residence and St. Vincent’s: Langara, as well as at St. Paul’s Hospital within the mental health department.

Music Therapy Research

Music therapists at Providence have participated in national and international research projects and conferences. They also supervise music therapy students and interns at various sites, including the Intensive Care Unit at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital and both the Intensive Care Unit and the Eating Disorders Clinic at St. Paul’s Hospital.

What is Music Therapy?

Accredited music therapists employ methodology and techniques sensitive to our resident populations to: maintain or restore function; enhance social interaction; assist with management of physical symptoms such as pain; improve function in stroke recovery; and to assist with contact or meaningful connection and validation in persons with severe dementias to improve quality of life.

In some instances, the residents’ needs are addressed directly through the elements of music; in others they are addressed through the interpersonal relationships that develop between resident and therapist or group. The music used in therapy may be specially created by the therapist or client, or may be drawn from existing literature in various styles and periods.

More Information

For further information, check out CAMT and MTABC or contact Leah K Rosling, professional practice leader, music therapy at Providence by phone, 604-325-4116, local 64603 or fax 604-806-9756.