From the moment I began my education as a music therapist, I knew I wanted to work in a children’s hospital. I’m not sure if it was the patients' innate sense of resiliency or their unique outlook on such a grown-up environment. Perhaps it was just the wonderful smell of disinfectant wipes.

 

I established a new music therapy program at a children’s hospital early in my career. As a new professional in the medical world, I felt many of the pains and struggles I’ve since heard from other colleagues. Pediatric music therapists are often left to fill varying needs – advocating for the profession, managing large caseloads and feeling the burden of witnessing deep suffering. 

 

For a time, I was a lone music therapist supporting a wide variety of needs and experiencing new, confusing procedures daily. What is a lumbar puncture and where the heck should I stand in this room? Did I miss the day in school where we became experts in the ins and outs of medical lingo?

 

Pediatric Music Therapy is a community for pediatric music therapists to gain new skills, connect with their colleagues and feel empowered to grow and advocate for the work we do.