Music Therapy at Dr. Peter Centre

At the Dr. Peter Centre, music therapy supports individuals living with HIV/AIDS through creative expression, connection, and trauma-informed care. For many participants navigating stigma, isolation, and healthcare barriers, this space offers more than music — it offers community, confidence, and emotional resilience.⁠

Through songwriting, jam sessions, music groups, and shared moments of expression, the program makes a meaningful impact in the lives of participants every single day.⁠

During our visit we had the pleasure of sitting down with Marcel Levesque to talk about what music therapy means to him.⁠

From songwriting and jam sessions to simply having a space to be heard, Marcel shares what coming to music therapy gives him that other spaces do not — and why programs like this matter.⁠

 

“I’ve been using it a lot since the 80’s to help me stop stuttering”

 

Marcel shared that music helps him to centre himself. He refers to himself as an “old soul” gravitating to music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s. Marcel shared that listening to Madonna on his walkman and singing along to the songs helped him to not stutter. Now, he joins Music Therapist, Andrea on Tuesday afternoon’s and they sing together.

 

Marcel, Music Therapy Participant at Dr. Peter Centre

Click to watch a clip of our conversation with Marcel

Living with HIV/AIDS often intersects with mental health challenges, including depression, PTSD, and social isolation. Stigma, compounded by the physical side effects of treatment, exacerbates these challenges. Music therapy addresses critical gaps in mental health and community support, helping participants manage stress, rebuild self-esteem, and enhance their overall quality of life. Unlike traditional therapy, music therapy provides a non-verbal, expressive outlet that allows participants to process trauma, reduce anxiety, and explore emotions in a safe, supportive environment. It is especially effective in addressing psychological issues like stigma and body image concerns, which are often worsened by the physical side effects of HIV medication. 

Music therapy at the Dr. Peter Centre transcends traditional healthcare, creating a space where participants can heal, connect, and rediscover joy. 

 

Music Therapist, Dr. Peter Centre

Click to watch some highlights from our visit

Music Heals has been honoured to provide funding for the Music Therapy Program at Dr. Peter Centre for over 10 years and supports the evolution and expansion of this vital program for the community they serve.

To see more stories about the impact of music therapy, check out our 2025 Impact Report.

Click here to learn more about the different Music Therapy Programs funded by Music Heals in 2026.