The Heart of Music Therapy: Beyond Numbers and Into Connection
Blog post written in support of Benioff Children’s Hospital Blog by Matthew Logan, MT-BC:
At Harmony Garden, we believe in the deep and connecting power of music – not just as data points in a study, but as a lived, human experience. That’s why I was encouraged to read Matthew Logan’s recent piece, Music Therapy and the Bottom Line.
Logan highlights research demonstrating what many of us in the field already know: music therapy can reduce pain, ease anxiety, shorten hospital stays, and even lessen the burden on medical staff. These measurable outcomes are critical to advancing our profession within healthcare systems, where quantitative data often carries the most weight.
What stood out most, however, is Logan’s reminder that the essence of music therapy is not found solely in the numbers. As he writes, “Music therapy in healthcare exemplifies the idea that caring for a patient’s soul is as important as caring for their body.” This sentiment resonates deeply with our philosophy at Harmony Garden.
As board-certified music therapists, we know that healing unfolds in the personal connection. In the improvisation that allows a client to feel playful and connected again. In the familiar song that unlocks a memory. In the gentle sigh when someone finally feels safe enough to rest. These qualitative experiences – though not as easily quantified – are where the heart of our work lies.
Research that captures outcomes is essential, but the process itself is equally vital. The act of creating music together honors the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – and often becomes the bridge to meaningful growth and change.
We echo Logan’s conclusion: investing in music therapy is not about dollars. It is about recognizing the profound impact of caring for people in ways that foster connection, dignity, and hope. And, as Logan points out, this kind of care strengthens both individual well-being and long-term healthcare sustainability.
At Harmony Garden, this is the work we commit ourselves to every day. Music is not simply a tool for symptom management – it is a pathway to belonging, healing, and wholeness.
Read the full article here: Music Therapy and the Bottom Line.
