At Primary Children's Hospital our music therapists are highly trained to harness the therapeutic qualities of music and to enable children of all ages to work toward their physiological, cognitive, emotional and social goals. Music therapy is prioritized based on doctor referral, but requests for a referral can be directed to any member of your child's care team.
To contact us please email PC-MusicTherapy@imail.org
Music Therapy Goals
In the pediatric medical setting, music therapy can be used by patients and their families to:
- Improve neurological development
- Improve speech and language
- Develop fine and gross motor development
- Improve coping skills
- Normalization of environment
- Eliminating or decreasing sedation for procedures
- Legacy creation/memory making
- Procedural support
- Pain management
- Increasing control over environment
- Emotional self-expression
Music Therapy Room
Primary Children's Hospital has a dedicated music therapy space called Sophie's Place. It houses our music therapy department, and contains a large therapy room full of a variety of instruments as well as a small recording studio. This space is a sanctuary for patients and families at Primary Children's to come and experience music therapy. We also offer several volunteer run activities in the evenings.
Sophie's Place Highlights
- Large therapy room
- Recording studio
- Variety of musical instruments
- Availability for private visits through music therapy consult
- Drop-in hours and special events
Hospital Concerts
The Sophie's Place Story
Sophie's Place was established in 2013 in loving memory of singer, songwriter and volunteer Sophie Barton. Sophie regularly volunteered at Primary Children's Hospital and often sang because she understood that music changes everything.
Sophie's goal was to write ten songs by the time she was seventeen. Sophie was always eager to help others and serve by sharing her music. Sophie's Place is an initiative of the Forever Young Foundation.
Meet Our Therapists
Katie Lahue, MA, SCMT, MT-BC
Expressive Therapies Manager
Contact Katie
Eliana Rivera, MT-BC
Contact Eliana
Kayla Zuckerman, MA, SCMT, MT-BC
Contact Kayla
Mackenzie Mondek, MT-BC
Contact Mackenzie
Sarah Freyaldenhoven, MT-BC
Contact Sarah
Rachel Christensen, MT-BC
Rachel graduated from Utah State University with her bachelor’s degree in music therapy and completed her internship at Primary Children’s Hospital in 2022. Rachel joined the music therapy team here shortly after and works as PRN, covering all units.
Sara Langenberger, MT-BC
Sara graduated from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in 2020 with her Bachelor’s Degree in music therapy. Sara joined the music therapy team at Primary Children’s Hospital in 2022. She currently serves the pediatric hematology/oncology unit, as well as an inpatient medical-surgical unit.