by April Scheinoha
Reporter
Sanford Behavioral Health has a new tool in its arsenal to help patients in Thief River Falls. In January, it began offering music therapy.
Jessica Gaffney, a licensed professional clinical counselor, said music therapy is an evidence-based approach that uses music interventions to meet nonmusical goals, like improving symptoms.
“Music in itself is a really powerful tool because it activates the brain in a way that talking or hearing someone else talk can’t,” Gaffney said. She added that it activates a person’s reward system, releases feel-good chemicals and helps tap into the person’s emotions.
Music therapy is offered Mondays and Fridays to patients in the in-patient Behavioral Health Unit, which includes adolescents and adults. The number of group participants depends on the day and how many patients are currently hospitalized. Gaffney said the number has ranged from a couple patients to about 10.
Sometimes, the group makes music with Gaffney by either singing with her as she plays guitar or playing instruments such as music egg shakers. The extent of the patients’ involvement is up to them. At her past workplaces, Gaffney and her patients have engaged in drum circles. If relaxation were a goal, relaxing music would be played to help participants meditate and to engage in mindfulness. Participants may also discuss the lyrics of a particular song in a session.
Music is a universal language because every known culture has music, Gaffney said. She added that the music can be a comfort to hospitalized patients who are in an unfamiliar place and at a vulnerable, difficult time in their life.
Gaffney also offers music therapy individually to patients in the outpatient setting when she feels there may be a benefit to it.
So far, Gaffney has received positive feedback from patients and staff. She said some of the group members have told her that it’s their favorite group therapy session.
Music therapy can be provided in a variety of other settings, such as schools, hospice care and in hospitals for those seeking care for physical issues.
Gaffney is passionate about music therapy and asked Sanford Health about the possibility of a music therapy program when she first started there two years ago. Gaffney, who is board-certified in music therapy, completed a six-month internship in San Diego as part of her music therapy degree. She initially planned to work in music education until her sister learned about music therapy and suggested that it would be a good fit for her. Since that time, she has worked with all ages in a variety of settings.