In my private practice, I work with

• children and young people with communication differences

• autistic children and and young people

• children and young people with learning disabilities

• children and young people with complex needs

• children and young people who find traditional forms of communication difficult

No. Music therapy is not about learning an instrument or performing. Sessions use sound and music as a way to build connection, communication and expression

Sessions happen at the same time each week during term time either at the Stroud Music Therapy studio or at the child or young person’s school.

I offer both 1 to 1s and small groups

Sessions cost between £60 per session and £80 per session

The price includes assessment reports, annual and final reports and regular parent review meetings.

Costs involved in running my sessions include regular supervision, CPD and premises costs.

Jessie’s Fund is a wonderful charity that strives to fund up to 10 Music Therapy sessions for children who have significant barriers to communication and interaction (check website for eligibility).

Sessions can take place in a music therapy studio in Stroud, on Bisley Road on a weekly, term time basis. Instruments are carefully chosen to be fun and playful and are varied over the course of the sessions. We may start with just a few instruments then work up gradually.

For sessions in schools, I bring my own musical instruments

That depends. Can be anything from 10 sessions to several years. Sometimes there is a set budget, and we work to that or sometimes it suits families for the sessions to roll more longterm. In this instance, we will regularly review.

In some cases it is beneficial for a parent to join the sessions, especially when the main goal is communication. It can be helpful for the legacy of the work if parents can take what they learn from sessions and use techniques at home.

A therapeutic hour is 50 minutes and generally works well and gives the child time to transition into and out of the space.

Group sessions are anything between 30 min and 45 mins

I will keep you updated with an initial assessment report after 3-4 weeks. I then provide an annual report and a final report and extra reports on request (which I charge for). My reports can be used for EHCP review meetings. I arrange regular parent phone calls every 10 sessions.

I think music technology can be an excellent tool for Music Therapy work but I have decided to keep my practice a real instrument and tech free zone as I feel I create the best connection with your child in this way

Obviously progress can be subjective and isn’t necessarily linear. However, to help measure change I use an outcome measure called the “Music Therapy Star” to track play and creativity, relating, use of voice, attention and awareness and emotional well being.