Kathy Jo Gutgsell Discusses Nurses and Music Therapy

Kathy Jo Gutgsell, RN, MT-BC, music therapist at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, discusses how nurses can work with music therapists.

Gutgsell says that nurses and music therapists share the same clinical goals, which includes alleviating pain, anxiety, depression, and addressing a need for legacy.

“I know that nurses are thinking about these things and value them too, but we just have a little bit different way of approaching these clinical needs,” she says. “We use this gift that we have which is music and the therapeutic relationship.”

Gutgsell hopes that nurses will be sensitized to the value of music therapy and make patient referrals to the therapy team.