About The Singing Music Therapist
About Me
Hello! I'm Kate. I am an experienced Music Therapist with a passion for singing. I came to Music Therapy from a performing background and have harnessed the use of my voice to help others find and explore theirs. I work musically so that others can feel seen and heard, so that they experience the power of human connection through music. I support people with a wide range of difficulties and abilities, and I work therapeutically with children and adults in a variety of settings.
I hold a Masters Degree in Music Therapy from Nordoff and Robbins, certified by Goldsmiths University. I am HCPC registered, DBS checked, fully insured and am a member of the British Association for Music Therapy and have levels 3 and 4 of Safeguarding training.
Before I trained in Music Therapy, I did my undergraduate degree in Social Anthropology at the London School of Economics (BA 1st Class Hons) and went on to gain a Distinction from Guildford School of Acting as a Post-graduate in Musical Theatre. I worked in the musical theatre world for 10 years, often as an actor-musician: acting, singing, dancing and playing piano and cello.
I feel incredibly grateful and proud to do the work I do, to bring together all that music has given and taught me over the years and use this in a connecting, empathetic and joyful way.
"I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by."
Billy Joel
What is Music Therapy?
The power of music can be used to help clients cope with a range of difficulties and challenges in their lives. Evidence-based and outcome-led, Music Therapy aims to create the conditions which can enable clients to participate in meaningful interaction, developing self-expression. self discovery and growth.
Benefits of Music Therapy include:
- increased self-confidence and self-esteem
- improved concentration or attention span
- promoting physical, sensory and cognitive skills
- positive changes in mood
- sharing and expression of feelings
- developing awareness of self
- agency and independence
- improved social interactions
- Human connection
My Approach
I take a personalized approach to each client, which will usually involve working closely with a client's family and support team.
Each session is led by the client who does not need to have any musical training to take part. I bring my guitar and/or keyboard, a variety of percussive and melodic instruments and, on occasion, my cello.
My role is to listen attentively to the client, to notice their movements, their "rhythms" and "pitch," and support them with my music and, specifically, my voice.
The majority of my work involves home visits and I tend to offer an hour to each client(s).
I have worked musically with a range of clients, supporting their needs for connection, expression and engagement. From individual sessions to large group sessions and performances, my work is rooted in:
A celebration of the expressible
Deep connection through music
Creating and creative space
I recommend watching footage from my client sessions to get an idea of how I work.
Testimonials
We feel so lucky to have you as Tom's music therapist. Over the last few weeks we’ve seen a great improvement in Tom, much of which we owe to you. It’s wonderful to see him enjoying life again.
I can’t tell you how heartening it is that Tom is so involved and interested when he’s been disengaged for so long. You’re a miracle worker!
This is amazing; Tom is transformed and as you say, is becoming much more talkative and confident. You are genuinely a miracle worker!
James and Marguerite, parents of Tom - September 2024
It has been so lovely to see my son's responses during his Music Therapy sessions. Kate brings a range of instruments to offer him different musical experiences, coupled with her wonderful singing. She has a calm and happy approach to every session and is able to skilfully measure Jem's responses to maximise his enjoyment. There are fabulous 'wow' moments for me when I seen him purposefully contributing in his own way and building his relationship with Kate. I feel that Music Therapy is so very valuable for Jem - for his enjoyment, for his well-being and for his communication and I am so glad I went looking for a therapist. I highly recommend Kate!
Allison, mother of Jem - May 2024
My experience is that Kate works with great integrity, respect, care and sensitivity to the needs of her clients. Kate has particularly strong capabilities in communicating with empathy and patience to family members, identifying needs with her clients, and addressing these through sensitive therapeutic work...My experience of Kate as a direct report was of someone reliable, communicative and consistent. Finally, as a colleague, she was creative, joyful and a constructive energy to have in our team.
Richard Bennett, Nordoff & Robbins Regional Manager London South/South East
Photography by Fi with Love @byfiwithlove