This presentation explores the evolving role of a music therapist during a complex hospital admission involving infant twins and their family. What began as a referral for supporting infant developmental grew into a rich, challenging case that required balancing evidence-based approaches and flexible, relationship-focused care. As an early-career clinician navigating minimal literature to guide me, I relied on supervision, reflective practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration to respond to the dynamic and shifting medical and emotional needs of the family.

I supported developmental goals, maternal mental health, and family cohesion, while also providing comfort during moments of acute distress—including a changing and challenging prognosis for one of the twins. Through the process, I developed a deeper understanding of my identity as a music therapist, and how music therapy’s affordances of attunement can offer clinical value in a complex healthcare care.

These experiences led me to reflect on how we explain and demonstrate the impact of our work to the multidisciplinary team-both through measurable outcomes and through trauma-informed person-centred care. This case shows the importance of developing research that honours the identity and values of music therapy, while also contributing to broader evidence and advocacy.
It raises important questions about how literature supports early-career therapists facing emotionally intense, socially complex situations, and how we build a profession and evidence base that is inclusive of diverse voices.
Looking forward, this presentation advocates for the therapists consideration of the intersection around physical, social, emotional and cultural health of their patients.