"I feel like I just got a sedative." Patient's family member in stressful situation.
"Wow--that's so relaxing! I need someone to come play harp for me in my apartment. A CD isn't the same." Patient
What are the advantages of a trained therapeutic musician?
Background recorded music or musical entertainment are great for people in relatively good health. But when people are very sick, in pain, medically unstable, or fearful, music that would ordinarily delight them can be overwhelming or irritating.
As a Certified Music Practitioner®, I have been trained to assess each patient's condition and environment and choose appropriate music based on that assessment, changing the music as needs change.
I have a large repertoire of music for different patient conditions and situations. Very importantly, I am also skilled at improvising: playing music that is very specific to the patient! The CMP uses the basic elements of music as well as different modes, styles, and improvisations to create a healing atmosphere. Training also includes the physiological effects of sound, medical and clinical issues, hospital policies, diseases and treatment options, understanding of the dying process, and much more.
This knowledge, coupled with extensive pre-certification experience, allows the CMP to serve each patient's needs individually.