Music Therapy

Music Therapy is an evidence-based health profession in which a supportive client-therapist relationship is combined with music to promote emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. WISH participants can engage in a range of musical experiences, allowing them to express themselves in a way that transcends words; engage in therapeutic conversation using music as a tool; build meaningful connections with peers; collaboratively work on coping skills; work on projects with long term goals; and rest, re-centre, and ground themselves. Music therapy groups and one-on-one sessions occur Friday and Sunday evenings from 6:30-8:30pm.

Musical experiences can include:

• Song-Sharing Circles, where participants share songs of strength or hope followed by discussion
• Karaoke, where participants can sing with each other and connect over their favourite music
• Drumming Groups, where the use of drums might ground participants and offer strong group connection, in partnership with our Indigenous Health &  Safety Program
• Song-Writing Support, where participants can receive support with song writing skills and have access to basic recording equipment to record the song on site
• Relaxation Groups, where participants can come rest and re-centre with the use of resonant instruments and basic mindfulness
• Jams, where participants can play a new instrument and join together in music-making
• One-on-one sessions or lessons

The Music Therapy program also hosts a memorial on the last Friday of the month from 6:30-8:30pm. The memorial is a space for participants, staff, and volunteers to honour those we have lost, and was created due to the increased loss we  experience and continue to go through. Music, snacks, smudging, and poetry are all part of the memorial. Folks who attend are also invited to speak if they would like.

“The music really helps us. We have a lot of worries and thoughts and the music lifts that energy.”

— Participant

“Being loud together feels so good. Think of the oxytocin we’re releasing! Even if we sound like jackasses, we’re laughing and people outside are laughing too!”

— Participant

Generously funded by:
Music Heals Canada
MakeWay (formerly Tides Canada) – Dr. Bik May Wai & Dr. Chung Nim Lam Endowment Fund
TD Bank