About

I am a Music Therapist and graduated from Roehampton with a first-class MA degree in Music Therapy in 2013. I joined the University of Derby in March 2021 and teach on the MA Music Therapy course as well as providing supervision and support for the students.  

I have ten years of clinical experience with a variety of client groups as well as managing and developing the growth of a non-profit music therapy organisation. I specialise in neuro-rehabilitation in medical settings using Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) and I’m passionate about evidencing the benefits of music therapy within multi-disciplinary teams in neuro-rehab and advancing the use of music therapy within these clinical settings.  

In 2016 I set up musictherapyblog.co.uk which aims to be a digital resource for music therapists, trainees and anyone interested in the music therapy profession. 

Teaching responsibilities

MA Music Therapy. 

Professional interests

I am passionate about the use of NMT in medical settings, specifically in neuro-rehab, and evidencing the benefits and challenges of this area of work. I believe that collecting ‘casual data’ about how a music therapy service operates is vital in evaluating the success of the service and evidences the need for continued funding of the service.  

I am keen to develop new working models and systems within the multi-disciplinary team and ensuring that the work is visible through webinars, presentations and social media. 

I feel strongly that the music therapy profession lacks diversity and I would like to be part of the change that sees more equity put into access to the training courses, specifically for those that have not had the same level of privilege and access to music education as many of the members of our profession (myself included). 

I am an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. I’m determined to create a much more inclusive profession for music therapists and create a professional community that reflects the communities we work within. 

Research interests

• Music therapy in medical settings 
• Neuro-rehab 
• NHS Stroke Pathway 
• Collaborative multi-disciplinary techniques  
• Developing music therapy services  
• Service evaluations and audits

Membership of professional bodies

• The Health and Care Professions Council 
• The British Association for Music Therapy 

Qualifications

• BA (Hons) Music (specialising in Composition) - University of Chichester 
• MA Music Therapy - University of Roehampton 
• Certification in Neurologic Music Therapy - Neurologic Music Therapy Training Institute

Recent conferences

• Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research 'Webinar: Music Therapy Round Table' April 2021 [Online]. Panelist
• British Association for Music Therapy: 'Open Ground: Music Therapy in Collaboration and Exchange' April 2021 [Online]. Presenter and delegate
• UK Stroke Forum 2018. Presenter and delegate
• UK Stroke Forum 2016. Presenter and delegate

Experience in industry

I currently run the music therapy service at Wycombe Stroke Unit for Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and in March 2021 completed a music therapy pilot service at the Neuro-Rehab Unit for the same Trust. This work led to analysis of the music therapy stroke pathway for Chiltern Music Therapy and designing a new music therapy pathway that is in line with the NHS provision. This project included making recommendations for furthering access to music therapy throughout the whole pathway.

Courses

• Music Therapy MA