Music Therapy

"Creative self expression offered in an interactive therapeutic environment can support many aspects of emotional, cognitive and physical development. Music Therapists work across a broad spectrum of need in a wide variety of settings to enable children and young people to: • explore and express thoughts and feelings • nurture social interaction and communication skills • encourage creative and spontaneous play • develop concentration and co-ordination • increase awareness of themselves and others • boost self esteem and build resilience • stimulate language and listening skills • strengthen family and peer relationships" (British Association of Music Therapy)

On this page

What we do

The Music Therapy team holds outpatient music therapy assessment clinics for children referred to our service, and designs tailored packages of individual and group therapy for children who have profound developmental, communication, social and emotional needs. We also run outreach and early intervention services in the community.

We support parents and carers, including skills enhancement training, and provide education and consultation to other healthcare professionals and the voluntary sector. We are active in the research arena and are engaged in a number of projects, including international collaboration and health promotion work. We work very closely with other professionals within the hospital and local community settings including child development centres, children's centres and local schools.

Benefits of music therapy

The British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT) identifies the benefits of music therapy as follows: Music Therapists work across a broad spectrum of need in a wide variety of settings to enable children and young people:

  • Explore and express thoughts and feelings
  • Nurture social interaction and communication skills
  • Encourage creative and spontaneous play
  • Develop concentration and coordination
  • Increase awareness of themselves and others
  • Boost self-esteem and build resilience
  • Stimulate language and listening skills
  • Strengthen family and peer relationships

Who we are

Our team of specialists, led by Dr Claire Flower and Juliet Wood, have a wide range of skills and experience. These allow us to provide a flexible and responsive service to children and their families. We work very closely with other professionals within the hospital and local community settings including child development centres, children's centres and local schools. All of our therapists have completed post-graduate training and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

  • Claire Flower, Consultant Music Therapist
  • Juliet Wood, Clinical Lead for Music Therapy
  • Christina Lydon, Senior Music Therapist
  • Emma Bailey, Senior Music Therapist
  • Emma Kenrick, Senior Music Therapist
  • Alex Bossom, Music Therapist
  • Jack Hudson, Music Therapist
  • Lucy Osborne, Music Therapist
  • Hannah Cox, Bank Music Therapist 
  • Shimona Thevathasan, Bank Music Therapist
  • Anna Carling, Music Therapy Assistant 

Video galleries

Using music at home

Music therapy in maternity care

These are videos sharing two ways you can use music to support your baby’s development and have fun with them. Babies are musical and communicative little beings ready to engage with you—they love your voice and already know it really well!

Parent resources

For more activity ideas and videos made by our team, please visit:

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) offers:

Contact information

The music therapy team is based at three sites across Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Westminster.

    T: 020 7266 8863

For any queries or for further information about our service, please email us. Please note: We do not accept referrals through email.

Contributors
Andrew Sen gracews swagdaddyabs George Vasilopoulos amyco