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.  Street-based sex workers 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 several times a week, both at the drop-in centre and in the community.

Musical experiences can include:

• Song-Sharing Circles, where women share songs of strength or hope followed by discussion
• Karaoke, where women can sing with each other and connect over their favourite music
• Music Bingo, where participants can listen, sing, reminisce, socialize and have fun with one another (while winning prizes!)
• Drumming Groups, where the use of drums might ground participants and offer strong group connection, in partnership with our Aboriginal Health and 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 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