Get to know me

My journey to becoming a Music Therapist

I remember as a child I would sit in front of the piano “composing” songs about any event or topic that was relevant at the time. Blissfully unaware of the significance of my creations.

Throughout my life I often felt a deep connection to music, resonating with the emotions it evoked in me. I realize that music often created the landscape for me to process emotions, challenging life events, and even trauma. I needed to know more… and so my journey to becoming a music therapist began.

After completing my B.Mus degree I gave singing lessons to more mature women. After months of struggling to hear a particularly soft-spoken client sing, I exclaimed “wow you’ve got a voice!”. She seemed surprised saying “I’ve never really had a voice… not with my family of origin, or with my ex-husband”. That was when the penny dropped. I realized the music afforded her an opportunity to find her voice. And so the puzzle pieces started coming together.

I went on a search to find out more about the use of music for psychological growth and arrived at Music Therapy.

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Who am I as a professional

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I am an HPCSA certified Music Therapist and BMGIM(Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music) level 3 trainee. I am passionate about journeying alongside others as they discover their inner wisdom to healing.

I have a special interest in working with:

  • Adolescence
  • People on their creative journey
  • Adults
  • Mental wellbeing
  • Anxiety
  • Addiction recovery
  • Self-care / Self-acceptance
  • Those seeking to better understand themselves and others
  • Deep relaxation and rest

My Qualifications

Guided imagery and music trainee
September 2020 - Present
Association for Music and Imagery

Guided Imagery and Music is a phenomenal music based intervention that draws on a psychodynamic approach. Music listening is used to facilitate a journey upon which the client can explore various topics/difficulties they are experiencing
Primary Trianer: Kobie Swart
Masters of Music (Music Therapy)
January 2019 - July 2021 (Distinction)
University of Pretoria

Dissertation title:
Voicework within music therapy as part of rehabilitation for substance use disorders creating opportunities for connection

Psychology 2, Psychology 3
Bachelors of Music (Performance)
January 2013 - December 2016
University of the Free State


Psychology 1

Publications

World Federation of Music Therapy Poster Award (2020)

Creating a safe space for parents/guardians of pediatric oncology patients through Music Therapy groups in South Africa

Master’s Dissertation (2021)

Voicework within Music Therapy as part of rehabilitation for substance use disorders: creating opportunities for connection

International Conference of Arts and Humanities (2021)

Frontline Support: A collaborative Arts Therapies response to the Covid-19 mental health crisis in South Africa

Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy (2021)

Windows of student music therapy experience during Covid-19

Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy (2022)

Frontline Support: Responding to the COVID-19 mental health crisis in South Africa

Media Appearances

The Mindful Voice Teacher Podcast (2023)

Episode 30: Connecting your Internal and External Voice

YFM The Shake Down with Mia Brown (2023)

Is Music really beneficial while studying?