How do I register my family?
Contact melissa@livingspirittherapy.com with questions
What are these groups for?
- These no cost, virtual groups were created to help support families of children 3-12 transitioning from extended hospital stay for treatments due to cancer, organ transplant, or other medical issues.
- Our goal is to help foster healthy sustaining family relationships when the additional support of music therapists, child-life specialists, social workers, psychologists, and others on the treatment team discontinues with discharge from the hospital.
Who can participate in these groups?
- Children 3- 12 years old who have undergone cancer treatment, organ transplant, or other extended hospital stay and their parents/caregivers and sibling(s).
- We will try to assign groups by the age of the child transitioning: 3-6, 7-9, and 10-12 though this may change depending on the age of siblings.
- Since they are virtual groups, participants can join us from almost anywhere.
- Due to the nature of the interventions and goals, there must be at least one sibling and at least one parent/caregiver participating with the child.
- 3- 6 families per group.
- Participants must have completed treatment within the past 6 months.
What is the group structure?
- 4 weeks with one 60 – minute virtual group session a week.
- Groups will be Wednesday mornings mid July through August and will last for 4 consecutive weeks. Groups will be assigned by the ages of children participating.
- Mix of virtual groups and independent family work with video guidance and music therapist support.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based allied health service similar to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language-pathology that uses music as the therapeutic tool to address physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and/or behavioral needs.
How much does the group cost?
- Due to a MUSE grant from the Great Lakes Region of the American Music Therapy Association the first three offerings of the group will be free.
- If participating in subsequent offerings the cost of the group is $100 per family which covers all 4 hours.
Are there any requirements for participation?
- All participants must be willing to complete 4 assessments before the start of the group and following the completion of the group (2 for children, and 2 for parents/caregivers) to help us determine the effectiveness of the group.
- These assessments include:
- The Revised Children’s Anxiety and Depression Scale (self-reported or parent reported)
- The Youth Quality of Life Instrument (self-reported or parent reported)
- Multidimensional scale of perceived social support – completed by both children and parents/caregivers
- Adapted Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL) – completed by parents/caregivers. Survey will be adapted with terminology adjusted from helping in a professional capacity to caring for a family member with special needs.
