Music Therapy

The Music Therapy Program is one of the expressive therapies programs that helps to make your child’s experience more manageable, meaningful and fun.

Music Therapy Program

Hannah Shefsky talks about her experience with the Music Therapy Program at Mass General for Children.


Hannah Shefsky

Specialty: Music Therapy, Pediatrics

Education/Training: MA, Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling

Certification: Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC)

Years in practice: 1 year

Years at MGfC: 1 year

What drew you to your specialty?: When I first discovered music therapy, I had been working for years as a music educator. As much as I loved teaching music, the emphasis music therapy places on social and emotional outcomes really resonated with me. I knew I had found the right field – a field that allows me to focus on using music to foster meaningful connections, creative expression, healing and joy.

Favorite part of your job: I love watching how music can help patients connect to that healthy part of themselves, giving them the space to be playful and expressive even in the midst of a scary situation. Being a part of that process is such a joy.

What you’d like to tell patients/family members about integrative therapies/your specialty: Music therapy can take on many different forms – it all depends on the individual. We can learn a new instrument, improvise together, write songs, listen to favorite tunes or even make beats on an iPad! No previous music experience is necessary – it’s our job as music therapists to help patients explore how music might best support them during their time at MGfC.