Updates

Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center

 Music Therapy

<p>Music Therapy</p>

The Faris Foundation Music Therapist helps children and their families treated at the Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center cope with their medical journeys and find hope and healing through music.

Music therapy is an evidence-based, clinical healthcare profession where music interventions are used to achieve individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. These interventions are facilitated by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program (American Music Therapy Association, 2017).

Because music is present in every culture and a natural part of childhood for most families, music provides an avenue of healing that feels approachable and safe for children. Music is globally processed in the brain and accessible for patients of all abilities, making it a powerful medium to treat physical, emotional, cognitive, and social goals.  

Within the Cancer and Hematology Center, music therapy services may include:

  • Improvisation
  • Songwriting
  • Music-facilitated developmental play
  • Music and movement
  • Legacy items such as heartbeat songs and recordings
  • Music video creation
  • Support during procedures
  • Therapeutic music instruction
  • Music-facilitated guided relaxation 
     

Through these interventions, Music Therapists may focus on some of the following goals:

  • Emotional expression
  • Pain and symptom management
  • Supporting the attainment of developmental milestones
  • Increased tolerance and participation in rehabilitative therapies
  • Increased opportunities for control and autonomy
  • Normalization of hospital environment
  • Decreased stress and anxiety
  • Developing healthy coping strategies
  • Legacy creation and memory making 

About our Music Therapist

Phoebe Bair, MT-BC, is The Faris Foundation Music Therapist and works within the Cancer and Hematology Center at Texas Children's Hospital. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Utah State University with a minor in Psychology. After completing her coursework, she completed a clinical internship at Texas Children’s Hospital, where she worked with patients across all inpatient units.  

Phoebe has a love for helping patients and families find their voices and experience healing through music therapy. She is a strong advocate for the power of music in healthcare, believing that music is an intrinsic part of the human experience, regardless of age, ability, or culture.  

Phoebe works with cancer and hematology patients of all ages receiving treatment at Texas Children's Hospital. She is board certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Music Therapy Services

Group, individual and co-treatment music therapy sessions are provided to pediatric hematology/oncology patients and families admitted to Texas Children’s Hospital.