Community Music Spotlight: Music Box Quartet
Music Therapy Matthew Logan Music Therapy Matthew Logan

Community Music Spotlight: Music Box Quartet

Not too long ago, a quartet of high school string players reached out to see if they could share their music with our patients. Hospital volunteers must be 18 or older, so we needed to find another way for them to share their wonderful music. They took it upon themselves to record this light and peppy cover of Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles, and we look forward to sharing it with our patients and their families!

Read More
Music Listening for Coping
Music Therapy Matthew Logan Music Therapy Matthew Logan

Music Listening for Coping

In the hospital, it’s easy for our routines to go out the window. One thing that many kids and grownups enjoy outside of the hospital is listening to music. With so much going on, it’s easy to forget about listening to music while inside the hospital. Here are some ideas of how you can use music to help during your hospital stay.

Read More
Flow
Music Therapy Matthew Logan Music Therapy Matthew Logan

Flow

As creative arts therapists, we often facilitate flow. Patients experience deep focus while working on art therapy projects, singing in groups, choreographing dances, or collaboratively improvising with musical instruments.

Why is this important? What makes it therapeutic? The effect of flow in the brain is impressive. During flow, chemicals in the brain are released that help decrease tension, reduce pain, improve mood, and foster prosocial behaviors. The natural medicines our brains provide during flow states are impactful, inexpensive, and free of unpleasant side-effects.

Read More
Therapeutic Applications of Improvisation
Music Therapy Matthew Logan Music Therapy Matthew Logan

Therapeutic Applications of Improvisation

We need to express ourselves and integrate our experiences, and musical improvisation is a beautiful way to do it. When supported by a knowledgeable and skilled music therapist, improvisation provides the freedom of exploration - of memories, of physical feelings, of many aspects of the psyche - in a supportive and attuned therapeutic relationship.

Read More