My background is in Arts and inclusion.
Before training as a Music Therapist I worked with marginalised young people for over 20 years in London and the Southeast. I first became aware of Music Therapy in 2013 when my adopted son was offered it as an intervention at primary school. I became interested in the idea of using music therapeutically and later went on to study for a Master’s degree in Music Therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
Music Therapy doesn’t require the client to have had any previous musical training or knowledge. In fact the young people I work with often find the most non-conventional and creative ways to use the instruments which I strongly encourage.
Music is an inclusive and versatile medium and in sessions I enjoy helping young people to build confidence in using music as a way to express themselves. Through improvised music making and the use of interventions such as drumming, singing and songwriting they are able to begin to explore the difficult feelings and issues that they’re experiencing. I encourage clients in the development of their own unique musical vocabulary which can be helpful to them as a way to communicate thoughts and feelings that they may not be able to verbalise.