About me and my approach:
Hi, I’m Louise. I’m a music therapist and specialist attachment practitioner.
I run an independent therapy practice in my own purpose-designed therapy space at Seale Hayne, Newton Abbot.
I started my career as a primary school teacher before training to become a Music Therapist. I then completed further training to become a Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT), which is an advanced level evidence-based training, understanding how music and rhythm can create change in the brain. I then further trained in DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy) and Theraplay.
Please contact me to book in a free 15 minute consultation to think about whether my therapeutic support may be right for your family or service’s needs.
Passionate and supportive
I have over 10 years experience working in the NHS as a music therapist but also as a clinical team manager, working in child development providing both therapy and neurodiversity assessments. Throughout my career I have worked in a variety of children’s services and settings working with complex developmental, trauma, mental health, social and medical needs. As well as working as an independent therapist, I also am an associate within two different child and family specialist teams, ensuring I stay connected with team-working to support my work.
I consider it a privilege to work with families and I am passionate about supporting meaningful relationships and building emotional resilience; supporting families in creating more joyful moments together.
Supporting young people and their parents/carers
I offer a systemic approach, meaning my approach is supporting the child/young person at the centre, but also all of the important adults in their life as part of my therapeutic support. This includes family members, carers, schools and other professionals in order to create positive change collaboratively.
I am passionate about supporting families and their networks to create positive change and support them in achieving their potential. Working in an integrated care model is always at the centre of my practice, observing how pivotal the key relationships in children and young people’s lives can be in shaping their sense of self and therefore their future.
The priority in my work is supporting young people, their parents/carers and extended systems to grow in their understanding of them, the way they respond and communicate, in order to encourage them to thrive and achieve their personal goals.
To ensure the highest standards of professional practice, I am clinically supervised by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist; DDP Consultant and a Music Therapist.
My experience:
I am a HCPC registered music therapist, a qualified teacher and have a specialist qualification as a Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT) which is an advanced level, evidence based music therapy training, understanding how music and rhythm can create change in the brain. I have engaged in training in Clinical Supervision, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP) practicum level, Non violent resistance (NVR), Earlybird National Autistic Society course facilitator training and Neurodiversity assessment training. I have a breadth of experience in being able to work with complex children/young people with co-occurring difficulties where there may be multiple functional, educational or emotional outcome goals to the therapy.
I have led a variety of diagnostic, developmental and trauma focused assessments in order to create an individualised plan for outcome focused therapeutic and educational direction. To shape and develop my work I use a variety of outcome tools in order to offer the most effective support to children and young people.
I enjoy keeping up to date with current research and literature and staying connected with a variety of professionals. I am currently the South West of England’s British Association of Music Therapist’s (BAMT) area group coordinator and lead a DDP Special Interest Group (SIG) for Creative Therapists. I’m also the co-author of a chapter in ‘Music and Parental wellbeing’ (2024) Oxford University Press.
Speak to Louise
"Louise is a highly skilled, professional and creative music therapist. I have seen the high quality of her work, including with complex families and supporting children and parents together. She is passionately dedicated to doing the best for families."
Viv
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, DDP Consultant and Trainer
“We have felt valued, respected and cared for as a family. The creativity, skill and knowledge shown have been clear, and the work has felt both professional and compassionate. The support has been helpful in equipping us to better understand and manage challenges, and it has positively contributed to strengthening connection within our family. Thank you Louise.”
The Newman Family*
Family
“Louise has taken the time to get to know our son and know when he needs a break and has come up with some brilliant ideas to help him. Definitely feel they have helped him especially with his transition to secondary school. I’ve really appreciated the time together and the opportunity to bond.”
Tim*
Dad
“Louise’s training was really insightful and passionate. I enjoyed listening to why music and rhythm can make changes in the brain. I’m looking forward to trying this out with the children in my school.”
Amy*
Class Teacher
“Having Louise be alongside our team has been invaluable. Giving us time to be together to think through difficult dilemmas that we have had to support young people through. Thank you.”
Lucy*
Headteacher
