Petersonfamilyfoundation.org Website Review

treating the whole child with an integrative approach to pediatric healthcare. we support medical research in childhood leukemia. as well as music therapy programs to improve psychological and emotional well-being. > the hospital often focuses on what’s wrong, a problem the doctor > needs to fix. music therapy brings out the child’s abilities and > gives them something to accomplish that emphasizes their talents and > successes. > oliver jacobson, music therapist > ucsf benioff children’s hospital, san francisco music therapy utilizes the power of music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual self to improve overall health. music therapy treatment uses music to reduce a patient’s pain and anxiety, provides an opportunity for self-expression through songwriting and recording or non-verbally through instrumental music making, organizes coordinated movement in rehab, and reduces stress through guided relaxation, music listening and instrumental improvisation. > my daughter’s response to music is immediate. her heart rate > slows, she relaxes her body, and her breathing becomes less > labored.  one look at the guitar and her eyes light up. use that > guitar to play twinkle twinkle little star and the gi*l’s heart is > yours. according to one of my daughter’s doctors, twinkle twinkle > is more effective calming her than the strongest sedative! music > therapy is just as much for parents & caregivers. the hospital can > be a scary, sterile, and unforgiving place. music therapy softens > the edges, calms the nerves, and refocuses.” >  > parents have reported that music was the only thing to bring a smile > to their child’s lips during their hospital admission. our hope is that we can make things better for those on the difficult journey towards healing. inspired by karen peterson’s spirit of