Music Therapy Conversations Luke Annesley

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

 
Prof. Dr. Gitta Strehlow is Professor of Music Therapy at the University of Music and Drama Hamburg in Germany and a Music therapist at the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the AGAPLESION Bethesda Hospital Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany. Her research areas include: psychodynamic music therapy, trauma, psychiatry and mentalization.
She undertook special education teacher training with music as a subject, University of Hamburg and Hamburg University of Music and Drama (1986-1994), field research in Indonesia exploring gamelan music (1994-1995). She was a teacher at a special school (1997-2000) before embarking on a diploma in music therapy at the University of Music and Theater Hamburg (1997-2000). Practical research: music therapy with sexually abused children and adolescents, Institute for Music Therapy at the University of Music and Theatre Hamburg (Prof. Dr. Decker-Voigt) in conjunction with the association Dunkelziffer e.V. (1997-2005). Self-employed there. Music therapist from 2005.
Gitta has been a music therapist at the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Bethesda Hospital Hamburg-Bergedorf (since 2000). Further training in psychodynamic-imaginative trauma therapy (2002). National and international lecturing and teaching activities (since 2004). Further training in Mentalization-Based-Treatment (MBT) with P. Fonagy and A. Bateman (2007).
Her doctorate was entitled "Töne an der Grenze, Interaktionsmuster in der musiktherapeutischen Begegnung mit Patienteninnen, die unter einer Borderline-Pönlichkeitsstörung leiden" (“Tones on the borderline, interaction patterns in music therapy encounters with patients who suffer from borderline personality disorder“). She has also conducted post-doctoral research into Borderline personality disorder patients in music therapy in Belfast in 2015).
She has held a part-time professorship "Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic Theory and Practice" at the Institute for Music Therapy at the Hamburg University of Music and Drama since October 2019.
Webpage:
https://www.hfmt-hamburg.de/hochschule/organisation/personen/gitta-strehlow  
PUBLICATIONS
Strehlow, G. (2023 in press) Selected contemporary approaches to music therapy in psychiatry. Music & Medicine, Volume 15/ 4
Strehlow, G. (2023) Alliance Rupture in Musiktherapie In. Die Psychotherapie, 68/4, S. 289-295
Strehlow, G. (2023) Hamburg Institute for Music Therapy: A Model for free Improvisation within Psychodynamic Music Therapy. In:  K. Goodman (Ed.) Developing Issues in World Music Therapy Education and Training: A Plurality of Views. Charles C. Thomas. P. 49-71.
Strehlow, G.  (2021) Trust development is essential in music therapy, Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, Vol. 30, No1,97-99. DOI: 10.1080/08098131.2020.1812272
Strehlow, G. (2021). Trauma, Mentalisierung und künstlerische Therapien, Band Trauma II, Forum für Kunsttherapien, Fachverband für Gestaltende Psychotherapie und Kunsttherapie, Schweiz (S. 13-18) 
Strehlow, G. (2021). Stichwörter „Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung“ und „Mentalisierung“. In: H.-H. Decker-Voigt & E. Weymann (Hg): Lexikon Musiktherapie, 3. Auflage Göttingen u.a.: Hogrefe Verlag, S. 83-88; 340-346.
Strehlow, G. & Spitzer C. (2020). Dissoziative Störungen. In U. Schmidt, T. Stegemann, C. Spitzer (Hg.): Musiktherapie bei psychiatrischen und psychosomatischen Störungen. München: Elsevier Urban & Fischer, S. 112-118
Strehlow, G. & Schmidt, U. (2020). Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörungen. In: U. Schmidt, T. Stegemann, C. Spitzer (Hg.): Musiktherapie bei psychischen und psychosomatischen Störungen. Elsevier Urban & Fischer, S. 135-138
Strehlow, G. (2020). Musiktherapie mit Opfern sexueller Gewalt. In: A.Wölfl & S. Siebert (Hg.). Musiktherapie mit Opfern von Missbrauch und Gewalt. Wiesbaden: Reichert Verlag. S. 47-59
Strehlow, G. (2020). Traumata und deren Auswirkung. In: Spektrum der Musiktherapie. VdM (Verband deutscher Musikschulen). S. 84-86
Stre

Georgina Aasgaard
Cellist and Music and Health Practitioner
 
Georgina Aasgaard is a Liverpool based Cellist and Music and Health practitioner who has a passion for bringing Music from the concert platform to challenging and more intimate environments. She has 20 years of experience delivering music interventions in a broad range of health and social settings such as hospitals, mental health units, prisons, homes for the elderly as well as community centres for refugees and the homeless. Her practice includes 15-year partnerships with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Alder Hey NHS Foundation Trust and Live Music Now. She has also aworked for 10 years with DadaFest and Drake Music, engaging with people with disabilities through music making and technology . As a musician in residence, she has led innovative and groundbreaking programmes which include both one to one interaction on intensive care units and group work in mental health units. She has co-created recovery courses, co-produced performances, exploring skills such as improvisation, composition, songwriting, music technology, and including employability opportunities. Her activities have been measured through co-evaluation methods and continuous contact with patients and service users. 
These collaborations have enabled her to draw on her experiences to create context specific training and mentoring programmes. She is currently developing a toolkit for musicians working in healthcare, informed by her collaborative work over the years and her research activities.
Georgina was awarded a Pre-doctoral Local Authority Fellowship by the NIHR, as a  Director of Training and Development Research for Live Music Now, working in partnership with the University of Liverpool to investigate the influence of non-clinical music interventions on mental health.
 
She currently works in close collaboration with The Liverpool Centre for Health, Art, Society and Environment (CHASE) at the University of Liverpool aiming to foster critical inquiry, dialogue and creativity to build new knowledge about enabling creative communities through music collaboration and cross-sector partnerships. As part of this collaboration, she has been granted a new Community Innovation Practitioner (CIP) award funded by the AHRC to investigate how collaborations between academics and partners from across different sectors can work to benefit health and wellbeing.
 
Awards and Honorary Fellowship
·         05/07/2022: Festival of Learning Awards: Winner of the President’s Award. Music and Mental Health Programme at the Life Rooms, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Lead musician
·         01/02/2021: Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards: Winner of the Impact Award on Health and Wellbeing Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Lead Musician
·         01/05/2019: Winner of the Merseyside Woman of the Year in the category of Arts, Culture and Media
·         01/03/2016: NHS Award in Health and Care - Certificate of Recognition for Commitment to learning in Health and Care
·         01/09/2011: University of Liverpool Honorary Fellowship, Music and Wellbeing
·         01/09/2010: NHS Positive achievement Award in Mental Health