Music Therapy

Music therapy uses music to support your physical, emotional, social, spiritual and mental health.
About
​Music therapy can help with physical symptoms of cancer. It has also been shown to improve the quality of life and lower stress for people with cancer. Being creative is a wonderful way to help your body and mind relax and making or listening to music can give you a positive distraction.

Engaging with music while connecting with others who are going through a similar journey can help you find strength and feel less alone. 

Everyone is welcome at music therapy. You do not need to be a musician.

What to expect

BC Cancer offers online music therapy groups. You can join from your computer, tablet or phone.

Music therapy uses music in many ways to help you feel better, including:
  • Listening and relaxing to music
  • Expressing yourself through singing, vocalizing, or playing instruments
  • Song writing 
We can help you with how cancer affects your life:                                                                  
  • Find a new way to understand and express your feelings
  • Learn how to cope with stress, worry, and changes in your life
  • Connect with others who are going through a similar journey
  • Find meaning, strength and make sense of your journey

​How to access music therapy

Music therapy is available for:
  • People with cancer. We can support you from the start of your cancer journey, from diagnosis until 18 months after your treatment ends.
  • Families, caregivers and loved ones to someone going through cancer.
You can meet with our music therapist in an online support group. Explore the 'Groups' tab above for more information and how to sign up. You can also visit our Support Programs​ page.

In the Relaxation & Music Therapy group, your family, caregivers and loved ones are welcome to join.

Contact

Patient & Family Counselling
BC Cancer – Vancouver

Phone: 604-877-6000 ext. 672194
Toll-free: 1-800-663-3333 ext.672194
Groups

​Relaxation and Music Therapy​

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This group can help you cope with stress and worry through relaxation and nervous system regulation. No experience with relaxation is needed. This group is led by a music therapist, and group members can attend whenever the group is running and relax while they listen to live music. Everyone is welcome to join, including people with cancer and their family, caregivers and loved ones.

Online session times

  • Mondays, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
  • Fridays, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Please note, there are no groups on statutory holidays.

How to sign up

Call to register:

Phone: 604-877-6000 ext. 672194​
Toll-free: 1-800-663-3333 ext. 672194

Art and Music Studio

This group offers a creative space where you can use art combined with music to express your feelings and discover your inner strength. It gives you a safe place to share your story through creativity and find comfort and support. The group is led by an art therapist and a music therapist.

The Art and Music Studio is for people with cancer. If your families, caregivers, and loved ones are looking for support, they are welcome to join the Relaxation and Music Therapy group.

Online session times

Every month on Thursday, 1 - 3 p.m.

How to sign up

Resources

Relaxation and Music Therapy Playlist

We have created a playlist of recordings from the Relaxation and Music Therapy Group. You can listen to them on Sound Cloud.​
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