Rusk Music Therapist and Sr. Social Worker Record Guided Meditation CD for Distribution to Patients


Music Therapist Alessandro Ricciarelli, MT-BC conducts weekly “Meditation with Music” groups at the Rusk Institute for patients and families. These groups are also available at Tisch Hospital where they are co-facilitated by Sr. Social Worker and Hypno-Therapist Bette Jean Rosenhagen, LCSW, Coordinator of the Integrative Health and Wellness Program at NYUMC.

The goal of the groups is to provide a soothing, comforting experience as well as to educate the participants about ways to tap into their own inner resources of healing and strength.

The feedback has been very positive with many patients reporting a heightened sense of relaxation and well-being, physical as well as emotional. Oftentimes a patient, who finds the combination of soft, soothing music with suggestions for relaxation and healing imagery especially helpful, will make comments such as: "I wish I had a recording of this so I could listen to it at other times throughout the day."

Inspired by such requests, Bette Jean and Alessandro have recorded a Relaxation CD, which is offered to the patients at NYU Medical Center at no cost. Special thanks to Maverick Studio, a professional recording facility in downtown NYC, for the generous donation of free studio time. To request a CD for a patient or to get more information on Alessandro and Bette Jean’s groups please call the Therapeutic Recreation Department at 263-6190 or the Social Work Department at 263-5018.