Sophie's Place
A haven for sparking joy, creating memories, and experiencing the profound healing benefits of music.
Music therapy is essential for enhancing patient well-being, offering a range of emotional, cognitive, and social benefits. For patients at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, music therapy offered at Sophie’s Place can alleviate anxiety, reduce the perception of pain, and lift spirits to aid in the healing process.
Patient Programs
A diverse array of program offerings enables us to tailor our approach to meet each patient exactly where they are in their healing journey. By offering personalized music therapy options, we can effectively reach and support those in need. This flexibility ensures that our therapeutic interventions are not only inclusive but also adaptable to the unique emotional, cognitive, and physical needs of each individual.
The Courtyard Concert program features diverse performances from community artists, some of which are recorded in our Sophie’s Place recording studio. These performances are broadcasted to our patients’ rooms, increasing accessibility and allowing more patients to benefit from the program. This year, the Courtyard Concert series, which hosts weekly performances designed to share music with patients, families and staff, welcomed 32 performers.
Impact by the Numbers
Patients participated virtually
Patients participated in open hours
Individual sessions
Total Patients Impacted
including bedside and Sophie's Place programming
Alongside the extensive program offerings, the music therapy team provides one-on-one sessions with patients, tailoring these sessions to fit the needs of each individual. These personalized sessions can help with managing pain, supporting self-expression, and assisting patients in processing a wide range of emotions. Over the past year, we were proud to offer 3,578 individual patient sessions.
One unique and exciting benefit to an individual session is access to the Sophie’s Place recording studio, which offers the opportunity for patients to write and record their music to share with other patients and families. Additionally, the team can offer in-depth experiences for patients to experience high-level music production and the use of recording equipment. Reflecting on a songwriting session, the family member of one participant said, “To think that this is even available, that someone can write a special song for my child, it’s amazing!”
Impact by the Numbers
heart transplant recordings
bereavement heartbeat recordings
between University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital
Research Staff and Updates
Sophie’s Place is partnering with the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance to create an app designed to enhance gross and fine motor skills, foster creativity, and create opportunities for self-expression. Users of the app can draw a picture on the screen and watch their drawing come to life with musical accompaniment. The app has been offered during open hours and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. At the C.S. Mott Chris Dickinson Quality and Safety Day, Sophie’s Place and the School of Music, Theatre & Dance won an award for best community and health system partnership. With feedback from pilot users, the next steps are to make refinements and begin an organized pilot program. The hope is that Sophie’s Place at U-M Health will pilot the app for future use in all Sophie’s Place locations.
The staff at Sophie’s Place are excited to introduce two new internship opportunities for student learners in music therapy and audio/visual production. These programs will enable students to work directly with patients while participating in seminars, reviewing research, and engaging in continuous learning opportunities.
