Using Music as a Tool for Coping Karen Sanchez, MBA, MT-BC In Harmony Music Therapy Services...

Using Music as a Tool for Coping

Karen Sanchez, MBA, MT-BC

In Harmony Music Therapy Services

Stockton, CA

Copyright (c) 2011 by In Harmony Music Therapy Services.

Every person relates to some type of music in some way


PhysicallyHeart rateRespiration rateBlood pressurePain/sensory

EmotionallyLift spiritsMotivationHopeExpression


Music therapy is the professional use of music and its elements as an intervention in medical, educational, and everyday environments with individuals, groups, families, or communities who seek to optimize their quality of life and improve their physical, social, communicative, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual health and wellbeing…


Research, practice, education, and clinical training in music therapy are based on professional standards according to cultural, social, and political contexts. Source: WFMT, 2011.


Same goals in supporting the patient/familyWe bring musical experiences that can be

adjusted to the situationEmotionally-

Discuss feelings brought up by musicWrite songs to express emotionsExpress emotions without saying a word

Physically-Music affects our neurological systemMatch the tempo to affect vitals and promote

relaxationEncourage movement, increase motivationMask sensory input from pain


As soon as a diagnosis is made, grief has begunFear, anxiety, sadness, loss of control…Music can help


DenialAngerBargainingDepressionAcceptance

Kübler-Ross, E. (1969) On Death and Dying, Routledge, ISBN 0415040159

Kübler-Ross, E. (2005) On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss, Simon & Schuster Ltd, ISBN 0743263448


For the child, he/she is suddenly being treated differently.

Music can create a normal environment.Bring back positive memories


Songs can be powerful and have to be selected carefully Return to Pooh Corner (Kenny Loggins) Puff the Magic Dragon (Peter, Paul & Mary) If I Die Young (The Band Perry) Butterfly (Jana Stanfield) The River (Garth Brooks)

These selections have a theme of loss or transitionNot faith-based selections

When patients/families have a connection to God then the idea of “going to heaven” helps them cope

Who would they be appropriate for?Copyright (c) 2011 by In Harmony Music Therapy Services.

Song SharingLyric DiscussionDrumming and/or Instrument PlaySong WritingDrawing to Music

Meet the patient in their current emotional state and then steer the session to address areas of need identified by the team


Age-appropriateComprehension-appropriateFamiliarityPreferred MusicRelated to a Memory/Event


Over the RainbowLet It Be (John Lennon)I’ll Be There (Jackson Five)You’ve Got a Friend in Me (Toy Story)You’ll Be In My Heart (Tarzan)Hero (Mariah Carey)Firework (Katy Perry)Amazing Grace (Hymn)I’ll Fly Away (Hymn)Peace in the Valley (Hymn)This I Promise You (N’Sync)If I Were Brave (Jana Stanfield)


Songs that give the patient/family comfortThis is determined over the course of the

relationship between them & child life, or them & music therapist

Music therapist can incorporate song writing and encourage family to sing to the patient


Friends and Family are in emotional painWhat songs do you know that can help…

…A Sibling?…A Parent?…A Friend?

You can’t help someone get OVER a loss, but maybe you can help them get THROUGH it.

Music probably won’t eliminate the pain, BUT it can help someone open up and talk about their pain WHEN THEY ARE READY.


Depends on what stage of grief they are in AND musical preference Beautiful Isle of Somewhere (Hymn) Angel (Sarah McLachlan) When She Loved Me (Sarah McLachlan- Toy Story 2) Who Knew (P!nk) Welcome to the Black Parade (My Chemical Romance) How to Save a Life (The Fray) Dance with my Father (Luther Van Dross) It is Well with my Soul (Hymn) I'll be Missing you (Puff Daddy) Tears in Heaven (Eric Clapton) Zero (Hawk Nelson) Keep Me in Your Heart (Warren Zevon) To Where You Are (Josh Groban) A Thousand Years (Christina Perri- The Twilight Saga- Breaking

Dawn) Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion) If I Could Fly (Charity Chapman)


Imagine there’s no ______________It’s easy if you try.No ________________ or ______________.Just __________________________________.Imagine all the people ____________________.

You may say I’m _______________________.But I’m ________________________.I hope someday _______________________.And the world will _________________________.


American Music Therapy Association www.musictherapy.org

In Harmony MT Services/ MeSongs www.musictherapyservices.comJana Stanfield/Keynote Concerts Inc.

www.janastanfield.comHelloGrief- Music and Grief

www.hellogrief.org/music-and-grief/Songs About Grief www.recover-from-grief.com/songs-about-

grief.htmlCopyright (c) 2011 by In Harmony Music Therapy Services.

Using Music as a Tool for Coping Karen Sanchez, MBA, MT-BC In Harmony Music Therapy Services...

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