Music Therapy at the Montreal Children’s Hospital

Music therapists use sound, rhythm and music to maintain and improve quality of life. Music helps children adapt to illness and hospitalization, normalizes their environment, and supports child development.

Music therapists adapt their sessions according the child’s specific needs and their age (ranging from premature babies to 17 years old). The Children’s three music therapists –Pascal, Christelle and Julien -are an important part of the care team, sharing their knowledge with multidisciplinary committees, and coaching medical students and residents.

Music therapy services are referred by clinicians and are available to patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Advanced Care Unit (ACU), Hematology-Oncology, Psychology, as well as the medical and surgical units.

Generally, children who are hospitalized for long periods of time, or frequently hospitalized, receive music therapy as way to reduce fear and create calm.

How Donors are Making a Difference

The Children’s music therapy program is 100% dependent on donor support. The annual budget covers the therapists’ salaries as well as specialized equipment, instruments requiring replacement due to wear and tear, and professional development trainings.