Music Therapy Conversations

Episode 101 is Luke's interview with Tina Warnock. This took place online in April 2025. Their conversation had a strong focus on vocal psychotherapy, including Tina's personal process of discovering this powerful therapeutic practice, and her current roles in developing training and research in this area. Tina Warnock is originally from Hertfordshire in England and has been based in Brighton, East Sussex since her undergraduate studies in Social Psychology in the late 1980s. She grew up playing the piano and in her late teens began singing and songwriting. The personal growth she experienced through singing with others and later vocal training led to a life-long interest in the connection between the voice and the self. Since qualifying as a music therapist in 2000, Tina gained extensive experience in a wide range of clinical settings including child and adolescent mental health, child development, special education, elderly mental health and learning disabilities. Her current practice includes vocal psychotherapy with people in cancer care, women with a history of trauma and abuse, and private practice with adults. In 2009 Tina established Belltree Music Therapy in Brighton (www.belltree.org.uk) which is now a thriving music therapy service. Between 2009 and 2013 she served on the BAMT board of trustees and was joint PR officer. Since 2016 she has focussed on developing the Austin Vocal Psychotherapy (AVPT) Distance Training Programme with Dr Diane Austin. In 2016 Tina invited Diane Austin to the UK to give some introductory workshops in vocal psychotherapy. The interest shown, combined with Tina’s passion for the work led to her working intensively with Dr Austin over three 2-year programmes and in 2026 she will take on the role of lead trainer for this programme. Tina has been affiliated with Roehampton as a visiting lecturer and lecturer on the MA Music Therapy course. She regularly presents at music therapy conferences and has published several articles and book chapters on the voice and the self in music therapy. She is currently undertaking doctoral research at the Cambridge Institute of Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University, UK, investigating the impact of Austin Vocal Psychotherapy training on a music therapist’s voice, sense of self and therapeutic practice. (3) Tina Warnock | LinkedIn https://www.aru.ac.uk/people/tina-warnock www.belltree.org.uk www.austinvocalpsychotherapy.com    

The 100th episode is here! Luke and Davina look back on the podcast - how it started out, where it has come to, what they have learned so far. They also go on conversational detours, considering their own perspectives on this profession, including current discussions about diversity, inclusion and race, along with the nature of music in music therapy, and how individual, as well as multi-faceted, this work is. What were the original intentions for the podcast? Who helped get it started? What's Luke's favourite episode? All will be revealed! Thanks are also given to all those people who have helped with the podcast, including all the interviewees to date.  More podcasts to come, but this was a moment to look back and reflect.  For those people who have been asking Luke, 'When will you be interviewed?', this is (sort of) an answer to that question.  For anyone interested in getting involved as an interviewer, please contact Luke via email: luke.annesley@uwe.ac.uk  References and links Annesley, L. (2014). The music therapist in school as outsider. British Journal of Music Therapy, 28(2), 36-43. Vencatasamy, D. (2023). The importance of being diverse: Exploring the journey from Brexit to Belonging. British Journal of Music Therapy, 37(1), 28-35. Ethan Hein's podcast episode about 'Stormy Monday', referred to in the conversation: https://ethanhein.substack.com/p/they-call-it-stormy-monday 

Davina talks to Michele Forinash DA, MT-BC, LMHC about her experiences working with AIDS patients in hospice in the 1980s, topics around white supremacy and colonialism in music therapy, Michele's experiences as a queer music therapist, and the decolonisation of research and practice. This is a rich and inspiring interview with a music therapist with deep insights from a long and varied career to date.  Michele is Professor & Director of the PhD program in the Expressive Therapies Department at Lesley University, Cambridge, MA. Michele, a white, cis, Queer woman, has been involved in music therapy since 1981. Michele's research and publications have focused on supervision, doctoral education, LGBTQIA+ topics, arts-based research, and music therapy history. Michele is a former President of the American Music Therapy Association and former Chair of the National Coalition of Creative Arts Therapy.  

Tessa Watson is a music therapist and trainer. She is Associate Professor and Programme Leader for the MA Music Therapy at University of Roehampton and works in that setting with colleagues across the Arts and Play Therapies and other HCPC registered professions. She has extensive clinical experience in mental health and learning disability work and her current music therapy work is with the children and families who use Alexander Devine Hospice. Tessa has an interest in co-production and is one of the founders of HENCoP (The Health Education Network for Co-Production). Tessa has published and spoken widely about her music therapy work to support adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities, the experience of women in secure psychiatric settings, multi-disciplinary work and learning and teaching music therapy. She has contributed to the development of the profession in the UK (BAMT) and internationally (EMTC) and in 2020 led the BAMT online conference which attracted over 570 delegates. Tessa is an HCPC partner, working on CPD and FTP schemes. She plays cello and sings in local amateur musical groups. Tessa’s most recent book, written with Cathy Warner is Contemporary Issues in Music Therapy Training, A Resource for Trainees, Trainers and Practitioners (Routledge 2024). Some other notable publications are ‘Music Therapy with Adults with Learning Disabilities - a view from the United Kingdom’ in The Handbook of Music Therapy (2024), ‘Supporting the Unplanned Journey’ in Collaboration and Assistance in Music Therapy Practice (2017), ‘The World is Alive! Music Therapy with Adults with Learning Disabilities’ in the Oxford Handbook of Music Therapy, OUP (2016), Integrated Team Working: Music Therapy as Part of Transdisciplinary and Collaborative Approaches, London; Jessica Kingsley Publishers (2008) with Karen Twyford, and Music Therapy with Adults with Learning Disabilities, London; Routledge (2007). Links: https://www.routledge.com/Contemporary-Issues-in-Music-Therapy-Training-A-Resource-for-Trainees-Trainers-and-Practitioners/Watson-Warner/p/book/9781032853963?srsltid=AfmBOoqv92gfeHbBxe_zmiemr1pyCC769xqTMPqxlu1E7Hfqo-imlCXw https://alexanderdevine.org/ https://www.roehampton.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught-courses/music-therapy/  

In episode 97, Davina Vencatasamy talks to her friend and distinguished colleague Jasmine Edwards. Jasmine Edwards, MA, LCAT, MT-BC (she/her) is a doctoral candidate and fellow within Steinhardt Music Education with a focus in music therapy at New York University. Jasmine holds a BM and MA in music therapy from Florida State University and NYU, respectively. Her clinical experiences include private practice, outpatient, school-based, community, and medical pediatric settings, and she is trained in NICU-MT, First Sounds: RBL, and Austin Vocal Psychotherapy. Jasmine has a vested interest in elevating dialogues about cultural humility within music therapy education and clinical practice within both her teaching and academic writing. She has served as an adjunct faculty member in the music therapy departments at Howard University, New York University, Montclair State University, Nazareth College, Duquesne University, and Molly University.

Tamsin is a multi-instrumentalist and composer with roots in the traditional dance tunes of the British Isles. Her debut solo album FREY (2022) established her as a rising star on the folk scene, with The Guardian praising her "beautiful, filmic compositions for accordion, harp, whistle and voice”. In this work Tamsin explores themes of limbo, pain, healing and acceptance, reflecting on the microcosm of her personal experience of chronic illness alongside wider themes of societal disconnection and environmental grief. Her forthcoming record The Meeting Tree celebrates connection, nature and the joy of sharing tunes with friends. Tamsin’s critically-acclaimed collaboration with Egyptian oud player Tarek Elazhary explores the parallels and celebrates the idiosyncrasies of Egyptian Maqam music and English folk traditions. Their friendship and resulting duo album So Far We Have Come is a testament to the unifying power of music, and won them a place in The Guardian’s Top Ten Folk Albums of 2023, as well as a nomination for Best Group at the Songlines Music Awards. A versatile composer-performer, Tamsin also contributes to chamber-folk quintet Hedera and festival-favourite Mediterranean fusion band Solana. As a Musician in Residence at UHBW NHS Trust, she channels her musical passion into healing and connection, writing new music on lever harp and playing for patients on wards including the ICU. This episode was recorded in Tamsin's studio in Bristol and it includes performances recorded especially for the podcast. Luke and Tamsin also discuss her work as a musician in residence and her cross-cultural musical collaborations. Tamsin's website, which includes details of recodings and forthcoming live dates, is here.

In this episode, Davina Vencatasamy talks to Dr Chamari Wedamulla. Chamari is an independent researcher specialising in music education, with expertise in integrating music therapy approaches to enhance student mental health and well-being. Previously affiliated with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Birmingham City University,  Chamari contributed to the Fair & Inclusive Music Midlands (FIMM) project commissioned by Arts Council England, exploring the perceptions of the Midlands music education landscape and current learning barriers faced by young people, while coordinating with a range of key stakeholders and organisations within the field. Chamari's  PhD in Music Education and Music Therapy (Kingston University, London) focused on employing music therapy techniques in education to support adolescents’ mental health. She was a steering group member of EDI MS, which is a cross-organisational network which aims to promote, support and share good practice in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Music Higher Education in the UK. Chamari has co-authored reports for Arts Council England and contributed to publications such as The Routledge Companion to Women and Musical Leadership (2024).

Luke speaks to Jonathan 'Jaytee' Tang about his PhD research, which makes links between music therapy, music psychology and cultural psychology. They discuss the concepts of independent vs interdependent self-construal, and the relevance of this to musical interactions. This has some fascinating implications for music therapy practice. Jonathan (Jaytee) Tang has over nine years of international clinical experience as a music therapist, having worked in medical, special education, and mental health settings. His work with individuals and families from diverse cultural backgrounds fueled his passion for exploring the interconnections between culture, music, and well-being. Currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Sheffield, Jonathan’s research focuses on how culture shapes emotional responses to music. His doctoral project specifically investigates the influence of cultural models of selfhood on affective experiences with music.  Reference Taylor, S. E., Welch, W. T., Kim, H. S., & Sherman, D. K. (2007). Cultural differences in the impact of social support on psychological and biological stress responses. Psychological Science, 18(9), 831–837. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01987.x

Colin Lee talks to Martin Lawes about his musicology-oriented approach as a Nordoff-Robbins trained music therapist, and about the newly published Oxford Handbook of Queer and Trans Music Therapy which he edited. The podcast begins and ends with music. To start with, a composition by a music therapist commissioned to begin the handbook. To conclude, an improvisation from a music therapy session where Colin explains his musical decision-making as a therapist. Colin Andrew Lee studied piano at the Nordwestdeutsche Musikakademie and subsequently earned his postgraduate diploma in music therapy from the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre, London, UK. Colin was awarded the Music Therapy Charity research fellowship completing his doctoral thesis on the analysis of improvisations with people living with HIV/AIDS at London Lighthouse, a center for people facing the challenge of AIDS. He continued his clinical work at Sir Michael Sobell House Hospice, Oxford, UK. After immigrating to North America, Colin taught at Berklee College of Music, Boston, USA, and later at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada. Following the publication of Music at the Edge: The music therapy experiences of a musician with AIDS (1996, 2016), he subsequently created the theory of aesthetic music therapy that was the subject of Colin's monograph, The Architecture of Aesthetic Music Therapy (2003). Colin recently edited The Oxford Handbook of Queer and Trans Music Therapy (2024), and is currently editing The Oxford Handbook of Improvisation in Music Therapy. His research interests also include the analysis of postminimalist composers and their influence on the study of applied health musicology. References Lee, C. A. (2024) The Oxford Handbook of Queer and Trans Music Therapy. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192898364.001.0001 Lee, C. A. & Dromey, C. (2023). Towards an applied health musicology: Aesthetic music therapy and beyond. In C. Dromey (Ed.), The Routledge Companion to Applied Musicology (pp. 184-191). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003042983

Tilly Mütter has repeated her roving reporter trick from EMTC 2022. This time she talks to various conference attendees at the BAMT conference in Leicester in May 2024, providing a variety of interesting perspectives on the weekend. the theme of the conference was 'About All of Us, For All of Us, By All of Us', with the primary aims of highlighting and promoting the development of Music Therapy. There are some familiar voices here (to Music Therapy Conversations listeners) along with some new ones. In order of appearance, Tilly spoke to: Naviella Dowds, Anthony Voelcker, Kelly Fraser, Duncan Campbell, Marianne Rizkallah, Helen Odell-Miller, Hakeem Leonard, Kirsty Jane, Kendra Bodden and Karen Diamond. A big thanks to all of these contributors! Before that, Tilly and Luke also share their own (somewhat hazy) recollections in the introduction. You can find another view from Marianne Rizkallah on her blog here, and no doubt there are more conference reports incoming. There were some fresh faces at this conference, new formats, and many inspiring moments, in a different sort of venue - plenty to reflect on and learn from!

In episode 91, Davina speaks to Crystal Luk-Worrall about EMDR and music therapy. Crystal Luk-Worrall is a music therapist and EMDR therapist working with the adoption community in London through her private practice Clap and Toot, as well as working with bereaved families through her work at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. She enjoys exploring multi-modality practice and systemic practice. Crystal also supports fellow freelance therapists and newly qualified therapists through her role as BAMT’s freelance network coordinator.  Clap and Toot | Music Therapy

In this podcast, Martin Lawes talks to Helen Wallace-Bell about SMI and RMI which are part of the contemporary spectrum of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and Music and Imagery (MI) methods Helen explains what these approaches are and how the recorded music used is chosen collaboratively to help the client develop their inner resources or work on issues. Helen is involved in MI training which also gets discussed. In addition, Helen talks about her work with clients who have PTSD and about online groupwork with carers. She discusses various music used in this work including Breezin’ (George Benson, https://open.spotify.com/track/1m3BAsNsQAaSNMD2M6vlKY?si=af7875cabc884295), Angels Nest (Peter Kater, https://open.spotify.com/track/3ijj6aeXCKMZWsD0EdzneJ?si=ce6f4f6551184195), and Darkest Hour (Sevdaliza, https://open.spotify.com/track/0ZbHjO6HyoGMLq5dCQIYWm?si=f41ece3b7bf64b45). The podcast begins with Martin explaining how GIM in contemporary practice is a spectrum of different methods and approaches including MI. He outlines what the Bonny Method of GIM is, as the original GIM method, and how MI has been developed in part to meet the needs of clients where GIM is contra-indicated or is in other ways unsuitable. For music therapists wishing to use GIM with their existing clients, the MI methods are especially important.   Helen Wallace-Bell, MA, BA (Hons), FAMI, MIT(Dip.), IMBP(Dip.) trained as a Music Therapist at the University of Roehampton, qualifying in 2007. She then worked for many years with adults with a learning disability. During this time, Helen began training in GIM, an experience she found transformative and enlightening both professionally and personally. She is now a GIM Fellow and MI Therapist (MIT) working in mental health, trauma, personal development, and group work (https://www.routesforchange.uk/). She is also an Independent Music Breathing Practitioner, Assistant Trainer and Supervisor at The Integrative GIM Training Programme (www.integrativegim.org), and a BAMT registered supervisor. Helen’s GIM training cohort were the first to be trained in SMI and RMI in the UK and she is passionate about the efficacy and value of MI as a therapy process. She has presented case studies at a number of conferences, including sharing the results of an SMI groupwork pilot project undertaken with music therapy organisation Whole Step CIC during Covid-19 lockdowns, and her own experience as a trainee using MI to process transference/counter-transference. In her spare time, Helen enjoys living by the sea, and is a singer, songwriter, and percussionist in a folk trio. References Wallace, H. (2010) 'An Inquiry into an Integrated Approach to Music Therapy for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder & Sensory Integration Dysfunction'. MA research project, Roehampton University (unpublished). Margetts, L., Wallace, H. & Young, E. (2013) 'A Potential Space: Approaching "Outsider Research" with Classroom Practitioners working with Children with Complex Needs in Belarus', British Journal of Music Therapy, Vol.27, 2 p.6-23 (Co-Author) Wallace, H. (2018) 'A Whirlwind of Being', Music & Imagery Therapy Case Study outlining MI to process transference/counter-transference), presented at the 13th European GIM Conference, European Association of Music and Imagery (EAMI) Wallace, H (2021) 'Containment Through Collaboration: Online Therapy During Lockdown - A Pilot Project', Music & Imagery Therapy Groupwork Case Study, presented as part of a roundtable (Supportive Music & Imagery: Integrating Artwork & Imagery into Music Therapy practice), at The British Association for Music Therapy's annual conference (theme: 'Open Ground: Music Therapy in Collaboration & Exchange) Wallace, H (2022) 'The Way We Were: A multi-method approach to Music Therapy to support an adult with Learning Disability through bereavement', Music Therapy & Music & Imagery Therapy Case Study, presented at the 12th European Music Therapy Conference (theme: 'Music Therapy in Progress - Please Disturb') Wallace, H (2022) 'Online Group Music & Imagery Therapy During Lockdown', presented as part of a roundtable (The Use of Music & Imagery Methods as stand-alone interventions and as part of the continuum model), at the 12th European Music Therapy Conference  Wallace, H. & Jakubauskas, R. (2022) 'A Sense of Belonging: Piloting an online Supportive Music & Imagery Therapy Group for Adult Carers during Covid-19', poster presentation at the 12th European Music Therapy Conference  Wallace, H (2022) 'Reclaiming Jocelyn: One Woman's Journey Back to her Self through Music & Imagery Therapy', poster presentation at the 12th European Music Therapy Conference Wallace, H, & Jakubauskas, R (2023) 'Piloting Online Group Music & Imagery Therapy for Adult Carers during Covid-19', poster presentation at the World Federation of Music Therapy World Congress of Music Therapy

Emi talks with Davina about their recent debut at the BAMT Conference in May 2024 where they spoke about their experiences of being a deaf music therapist. Here are Emi's words of introduction: My name’s Emi and my pronouns are they/them. I’m a deaf music therapist who currently works in older people’s mental health in the NHS. I graduated from the University of Derby in 2022 with my master’s in music therapy, where I became passionate about making music therapy more accessible to deaf people. Ever since, I’ve been working on publishing my independent scholarship on how my experience of music impacts my work, and I hope to use my career and research to platform the different ways disabled folks access music and music therapy.

This is the recording of the live discussion from the BAMT conference at the Curve Theatre Leicester on 18 May 2024. The conference panel was Luke Annesley, Rachel Darnley-Smith, Tilly Mutter and Davina Vencatasamy. Surprise special guests were Wendy Magee and Joy Gravestock, who happened to be in the audience, and excerpts were included from previous episodes from Wendy and Joy, along with Denise Wong and Mercedes Pavlicevic. The episode includes discussion about the genesis of the podcast, the processes of interviewing and being interviewed, and closer examination of excerpts from episodes selected by the panellists. Thanks to everyone who attended in person, and to BAMT for a wonderful and enriching conference.

Karen D. Goodman, PhD., Professor Emerita of Music, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey, USA., has been the primary figure in designing and developing both the former undergraduate and graduate music therapy programs at Montclair over forty years. Professor Goodman’s research-based clinical work, at ten clinical settings, includes music therapy practice in child and adult psychiatry and developmental disabilities at New York Hospital- Cornell Medical Center, Creative Arts Rehabilitation Center-NYC and educational programs in the Greater New York area. Currently an Associate Editor for Psychology of Music, Professor Goodman has served as Editor of Music Therapy: The Journal of the American Association for Music Therapy and other journals in education. Her publications include two widely acclaimed books:  Music Therapy Groupwork with Special Needs Children: The Evolving Process (2007) and Music Therapy Education and Training: From Theory to Practice (2011) as well as two edited books International Perspectives in Music Therapy Education and Training: Adapting to a Changing World (2015) and Developing Issues in Music Therapy Education and Training: A Plurality of Views (2023).  A frequent presenter at international music therapy conferences over many years, she lectures and consults internationally on topics related to her clinical work and higher education and the relationships between these, most recently her lifespan developmental stage model for music therapy supervision (Goodman, 2023). Her outreach services for clinical supervision, program design, editing, teaching and both book and grant review are described here: karendgoodmanconsulting.com References Arieti, S., (1955) Interpretation of schizophrenia. Goodman, K.D. (2023) The Music Therapy Supervisor: Developmental Perspectives. Aalborg, Denmark: Aalborg University Goodman, K.D. (Ed.) (2023) Developing Issues in World Music Therapy Education and Training.  Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas Publisher. Goodman, K.D. (Ed.) (2015) International Perspectives in Music Therapy Education and Training: Adapting to a Changing World. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas Publisher. Goodman, K.D. (2011) Music Therapy Education and Training: Theory to Practice. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas Publisher. Goodman, K.D (2007) Music Therapy Groupwork with Special Needs Children: The Evolving Process. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas Publisher. Goodman, K.D. (2015) Book Publication in Music Therapy (In) K.D. Goodman (Ed.) International Perspectives on Music Therapy Education and Training: Adapting to a Changing World. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas. Kaufman, D. L. & Goodman, K.D. Cracking Up and Back Again: Transformation through Music and Poetry. In Z. Li & T.L. Long, (Eds.) (2010) The Meaning Management Challenge: Making Sense of Health, Illness and Disease, Oxford, UK: Inter-Disciplinary Press, pp. 117-129. Goodman, K.D. (1981) Music Therapy, Chapter 29. In S. Arieti (Ed.) The American Handbook of Psychiatry. New York: Basic Books Goodman, K.D. (2008) Cracking Up and Back Again: Book Review. Arts in Psychotherapy. 35(2) Goodman, K.D. (1989) Music Therapy Evaluation of Emotionally Disturbed. Children. Arts in Psychotherapy. 16(2), 179-192. Goodman, K.D. (1986) Book reviews. Journal of Music Therapy, 23 (1).

Holly Shirra is a qualified music therapist who holds her focus on helping people connect in community and express themselves creatively and authentically. With classical piano training from a young age, Holly discovered a passion for free improvisation while studying music therapy, which she completed in 2020. To help her understand further how people spontaneously create in groups, Holly founded 'Cambridge Music Improv' - a community project that gathers people from diverse backgrounds in public spaces to improvise music together. This supportive environment allows participants to tap into their creative side and find catharsis and self-expression while building connections with others. Alongside her community work, Holly has extensive experience in musical education, teaching piano to children since the age of 15. She continues to share her love of music through teaching as a regular part of her work. In her spare time these days, Holly likes to find balance through cooking, rock climbing, meditation, and spending time in nature.  Here is a link to Holly's documentary about the group: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38w-ygwKaIY&t=43s

Jessica Leza is a board-certified music therapist, author, and multimedia artist. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from the University of North Texas and a Master of Arts in Music Therapy from Texas Woman’s University. Leza’s music therapy scholarship and advocacy centers around neurodiversity, disability justice, culture, and LGBTQ+ liberation and includes publications in The Neurodiversity Reader, Sociocultural Identities in Music Therapy, and The Oxford Handbook of Queer and Trans Music Therapy, as well as the solo-authored An Introduction to Neurodiversity and Autistic Culture for (Music) Therapists. Leza’s multimedia works have been showcased in film and arts festivals across the US and Europe, China, and South America. Luke and Jessica discussed her process of becoming a music therapist and her recent experiences of clinical practice, followed by the concepts of neuroqueering and neurocosmopolitanism as they might apply to music therapy. e-Book: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1492591757/an-introduction-to-neurodiversity-and Paperback: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1510338925/paperback-an-introduction-to https://jessicaleza.com/ References Hadley, S. 2021 Sociocultural Identities in Music Therapy. United States: Barcelona Publishers. Lee, C. 2024 Oxford Handbook of Queer and Trans Music Therapy. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, USA. Leza, J. (n.d.). An Introduction to Neurodiversity and Autistic Culture for (Music) Therapists. United States: La Migdalia Press. Walker, N. (2021). Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities. United States: Autonomous Press.

Luke talks to Den Vecchio, a play therapist living and working in Bristol, UK. They discuss the principles of play therapy, why play therapy has become more available in mainstream schools in recent years, and overlaps with music therapy practice. Also - why every play therapist should have snakes, spiders and crocodiles in their collection! Den is a thoughtful practitioner and was a very entertaining and engaging podcast guest. As a music therapist, you're perhaps unlikely to have come across her, but don't let this discourage you from listening to this fascinating episode. There's lots of food for thought here, in particular for music therapists who work with children and young people. Den Vecchio's website: https://thegardenroombristol.com/author/denvecchio/ References Axline, V. M. (1975). Dibs: In search of self. Mansion.

Evelyn Mason is an experienced music therapist and Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Student at the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge. Chroma Therapies and the Independent Neurorehabilitation Providers Alliance (INPA) are collaborating with ARU on this study which focuses on music therapy to address the emotional challenges of family caregivers of people with Huntington’s disease. As a practising clinician, she has specialisms in brain injury rehabilitation, adoption, dementia, learning disability and hospice care. Having completed her MA Music Therapy training at ARU in 2008, she worked for the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust in Belfast, with children with learning difficulties in Chennai, India, for Methodist Homes Association (MHA) in central England, for Chroma Therapies with individual adoption cases, and currently works with Chroma Therapies as a Neurologic Music Therapist at a brain injury rehabilitation unit in Bristol.  Evelyn employs an integrative approach in her clinical work. At times, she uses psychodynamic processes at the pre-assessment phase to understand relational or engagement issues with the client. Evelyn seeks to adopt a desire-based approach by putting the client’s choices at the core of the therapeutic journey. She works within the scientific theory model when carrying out her rehabilitation work, seeking to enable the client to benefit from inter-disciplinary working and patient-centred rather than discipline-centred programs.  Evelyn's future research interests are related to the field of neuro-disability. They include: Developing musical techniques to address neurologically-induced sensations. Examining music therapy techniques to address speech deficits in stroke patients diagnosed with aphasia. Analysing connections between social issues and acquired brain injury. Developing online music therapy models for carers of people with neurodegenerative conditions. References/links: The Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy – -In Memory of Robert F. Unkefer (nmtacademy.co) https://nmtacademy.co/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/nmt-definitions.pdf Bruscia, K.E. (2014) Defining music therapy. 3rd ed. Gilsum, NH: Barcelona Publishers. Rolvsjord, R. (2016) Resource-Oriented Perspectives in Music Therapy. Oxford University Press. Thaut, M. and Hœmberg, V. (2016) Handbook of neurologic music therapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Elaine is a BAMT registered clinical supervisor, and consultant lead visitor for the HCPC.  She studied piano and composition at GSMD, and trained as a music therapist with Dr Paul Nordoff and Dr Clive Robbins in London. After running the music therapy service at the CDC, Charing Cross Hospital for several years, and completing an MA research thesis in music therapy at the University of York, Elaine was appointed Senior Lecturer at the Roehampton Institute where she developed a new post-graduate course in Music Therapy. Her music therapy practice with children, young people, and adults ran alongside her lecturing work, She trained as a psychodynamic counsellor at the Westminster Pastoral Foundation and taught various aspects of music therapy at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama for many years, including clinical improvisation. Following a Churchill Research Fellowship in the 1980's, Elaine initiated,  developed and coordinated the BAMT (formerly APMT) post training supervision scheme for registered music therapists in the UK. She has an established supervision practice working with individual therapists and small group supervision for and supervisors working in the UK and abroad. Previous Roles Acting Head of Music Therapy, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. Visiting Professor of Music Therapy Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. Senior Lecturer in Music Therapy, Clinical Tutor, and Clinical Music Improvisation Tutor, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Head of Music Therapy Training, Senior Lecturer, University of Roehampton UK. Initiator and Coordinator of the Association of Professional Music Therapists* Post-Diploma Supervision Scheme, UK. Music Therapy Group Training Therapist for students studying for Masters in Music Therapy degrees at : Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Nordoff Robbins Centre London, University of the West of England, and Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Music Therapy Charity Ph,D. Research Fellowship at the University of York. University of York PhD Research Fellowship in Music Therapy, Churchill Fellowship in Music Therapy. Clinical Music Improvisation Tutor, Nordoff Robbins Institute at Southlands College. Head Music Therapist, Child Development Centre, Paediatric Department, Charing Cross Hospital, London. References Streeter, E. et al: The Arts in Psychotherapy 39 (2012) 1–10 'Computer aided music therapy evaluation: Testing the Music Therapy Logbook prototype 1 system' Streeter, E. (2011) 'From Trainee to Practitioner: the supervision of registered music therapists' Chapter 13 in Karen D Goodman's 'Music Therapy Education and Training: from Theory to Practice' Charles C Thomas publisher USA ‘Streeter, E. (2010) ‘Computer-Aided Music Therapy Evaluation: Investigating and Testing the Music Therapy Logbook Prototype I’ Ph,D. Thesis (York) Streeter, E. (2006). What Are We Doing to Ourselves? The Branding of Music Therapy in Academia. In: Hadley, S. (Ed), Feminist Perspectives in Music Therapy. Gilsum, NH: Barcelona Publishers. p.359. Streeter, E. (2001). Making Music with the Young Child with Special Needs: A Guide for Parents. Revised Edition London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Streeter, E. (1999) Finding a balance between psychological thinking and musical awareness in music therapy theory — a psychoanalytic perspective. British Journal of Music Therapy  Streeter, E. (1999) Definition and Use of the Musical Transference Relationship. In: Wigram, T. & De Backer, J. (Eds), Clinical Applications of Music Therapy in Psychiatry. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Chap.15, p.84-90. Streeter, E. (1981).Towards a Theoretical Understanding of Rhythmic Responses in Music Therapy. British Society of Music Therapy. Monograph. Available from: British Association of Music Therapy, UK. Streeter, E. (1979). A Theoretical Background to the Interpretation of Rhythmic Skills, with Particular Reference to the Use of Music Therapy as an Aid to the Clinical Assessment of Pre-School Children. MA Thesis. Department of Music, University of York.