Music Therapy is a discipline in which Certified Music Therapists (MTAs) use music purposefully within therapeutic relationships to support development, health, and well-being. Music therapists use music safely and ethically to address human needs within cognitive, communicative, emotional, musical, physical, social and spiritual domains (Canadian Association of Music Therapists, 2020). Certified MTAs use music and musical elements to support patients, families and caregivers through any stage of a cancer trajectory. This includes individualized support with pain and symptom management, as well as emotional and psychosocial support. Music therapists may use a wide variety of musical options including live music, instruments, song-writing, lyric analysis and verbal psychotherapy support.
Music therapy is available to inpatients at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
No previous musical experience is required.
How to get referred
In order to obtain a referral to the Music Therapy Program at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, you need to:
- Be an inpatient at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
- Get a referral from a UHN clinician (any healthcare provider can refer you to the Music Therapy Program)
What to expect
The music therapist will meet with you individually while you are an inpatient, and discuss options that will best support you and your needs while you are admitted to the cancer centre. Sessions are usually between 30-60 minutes depending on your needs and can take place directly in your hospital room.
