The UCSF Wellness Center for Youth with Chronic Conditions is introducing a virtual 4-session music therapy group series, designed to support the social, emotional, spiritual, and musical aspects of wellness. These "Wellness Music Jams" aim to provide a creative, supportive space for patients to engage with music, enhancing self-expression, coping strategies, and social connection. The groups are led by a board-certified music therapist and are specifically tailored to help pediatric patients with chronic conditions, utilizing evidence-based music therapy techniques that promote resilience and overall well-being.
Each group session will be held virtually via a secure platform like Zoom and will last one hour, with a maximum of 10 patients per group. The session themes are as followed:
- Wellness Music Jam Session #1: Digital Music Making Connections – Focuses on social wellness through collaborative, online music-making platforms to enhance social connections.
- Wellness Music Jam Session #2: Exploring Our Musical Identity – Emphasizes emotional wellness by providing a space for self-expression through music and playlist creation.
- Wellness Music Jam Session #3: Music Mindfulness & Relaxation – Addresses spiritual wellness by teaching relaxation techniques through music listening to promote self-care.
- Wellness Music Jam Session #4: Self-Reflection Through Songwriting – Focuses on emotional wellness by encouraging self-reflection through songwriting and lyric analysis.
This music therapy program is just the beginning of expanding the services we offer at the Wellness Center. In the future, we hope to add more options like instrument lessons (e.g., ukulele, guitar, or keyboard) for use at home or in person. We also plan to create more sessions for different age groups. Additionally, we’re exploring opportunities for family workshops and music therapy sessions, which can help strengthen emotional bonds and build a supportive community.