CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Music has always been part of Victoria Vitale's life.
"I played the violin for a very long time. I still do," she said. "I went to college for music performance."
She discovered Music Therapy her junior year in college, a technique that grew out of World War II designed to help veterans who suffered from PTSD.
"When veterans returned home, they needed something for their PTSD and other mental health struggles," Vitale said.
Now she uses her music to help young patients at Advocate Children's Hospital in Oak Lawn and Park Ridge.
"I've been a music therapist for six years and have been at Advocate for two years. Music therapy uses music to address non-musical goals. We work on things like mental health, emotional health, physical health. That can be in a group setting or an individual setting," Vitale said.
Typically she sees a dozen or so patients a day, handles group therapy, and helps parents in the neonatal unit as well.
"A big part of my work there is through working with parents. Sometimes we'll write lullabies together or sing about wishes they have about their babies. It normalizes the environment and it really helps them bond with their babies," she said.
Vitale said now more than ever, music can distract from illness and offer a bit of a morale booster for those on the front lines at Advocate.
"I'm still going to work during the pandemic. Some kids have questions about it. Families are stressed out. Music therapy has been helpful for staff morale and staff support especially in the last few weeks," she said.
Vitale said she brings a music therapy cart along with her.
"I've seen the difference it can make. Families have told me that music therapy helps make the hospital feel more like home. If I hear something like that, I know I'm doing something good and helpful and that makes me feel really good in return," Vitale said.
There are 8,000 music therapists in the U.S today.
