Music therapy at CAMH engages clients in recovery through creativity

As part of the Occupational Therapy Council, music therapy at CAMH is dedicated to providing specialized, client-centered care to those living with mental health and addictions issues. The Canadian Association for Music Therapy defines it as “the skilful use of music and musical elements by a specially trained and accredited music therapist to promote, maintain, and restore mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health.”

Laying down therapeutic rap tracks: Anthony DiGiacomo, a music therapist with Centralized Services in CAMH’s Schizophrenia Program, makes a digital recording as Stanley Marston lays down his original rap tracks. DiGiacomo says that many clients now record their own stories, songs and raps rather than play traditional musical instruments.

At CAMH, the music therapy program offers group and individual sessions as well as assessments, consultations and specialized programming by referral. Music therapy groups often take place on inpatient units, while outpatient groups and individual sessions take place in a fully equipped music therapy studio. With the addition of digital recording technology, clients can often leave sessions with a CD copy of their latest composition or improvisation.

“Music therapy is a goal-directed process that works through the use of musical experiences such as singing, song writing, improvising, composing, listening and discussion. These experiences, along with the relationships developed through them, form the basis of therapeutic change through music therapy,” explains Anthony DiGiacomo, a music therapist with Centralized Services in CAMH’s Schizophrenia Program.

Recently, music therapy has been cited by many publications as being an evidence-based practice for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like illnesses and is now being explored as a therapeutic treatment for clients diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

CAMH's music therapy program strives to attain service excellence through ongoing program evaluation, staff development, education and research. The program also maintains graduate and post-graduate interns and students year round.

For more information about music therapy at CAMH, contact Anthony DiGiacomo at 416 535-8501,ext. 2826.

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