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 older 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.
Who am I as a professional
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
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
Personal Reflections
Gender, empathy, and getting to know our boxes
From a young age we are conditioned to be something to fit into specific roles and boxes. I know that many people are questioning and challenging these societal teachings, but how much of it even lies within our consciousness?
Take your time
Have grace with yourself if you can’t do it all, even with this. Don’t let taking your time just become another thing to tick of on a long to-do list.
