Forth Music Therapy Service

25/05/2026

21/08/2025

We're so delighted with Evie's progress in music therapy and really appreciate this article written by her mum - here's the link to the full article https://www.ndcs.org.uk/advice-and-support/real-life-stories/evies-music-therapy-journey

04/02/2025

Here at Forth Music Therapy, we believe every child’s mind deserves care and support. 💙
For resources and support, visit:

Moodjuice
Offers information and advice to those experiencing troublesome thoughts, feelings and actions.
Visit: http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/

Aye Feel, by Young Scot
Information about how to look after your emotional wellbeing, support from organisations around Scotland and tips on how to promote a positive mindset.
Email: [email protected]
Visit: https://young.scot/campaigns/national/aye-feel

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to:

Childline
A free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 in the UK.
Available: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Phone: 0800 1111
Visit: http://www.childline.org.uk

Breathing Space
A confidential out of office hours telephone line for people over 16 experiencing low mood, anxiety or depression.
Phone: 0800 83 85 87

Samaritans
24-hour helpline offering emotional support for anyone feeling down, distressed or struggling to cope.
Phone: 116 123
Email: [email protected]

The Mix
Free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile.
Phone: 0808 808 4994

Shout
Shout 85258 is the UK’s first free, confidential, 24/7 text support service. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and need mental health support.
Phone: Text 85258

25/11/2024

Music isn’t just entertainment; its a path to healing, connection, and growth ⭐️ Whether it’s reducing stress, boosting independence, or unlocking creativity, music has the power to transform lives!

10/10/2024

It’s ! Let’s celebrate with the healing power of music! Let’s embrace the rhythms of self-care and the melodies of support. together we can create a symphony of mental well-being 🩵

26/08/2024

Meet Vanessa! Vanessa grew up in Nova Scotia Canada, where as a child and teenager she studied piano at the Maritime Conservatory of Music. Not imagining herself as a performing artist, Vanessa initially pursued a career in the sciences, and began working within the field of sustainable development policy and research when she moved to Scotland in 2001. However, when her children were born a few years later, she noticed how life became centred on music once more, and how natural it felt to be both communicating and connecting with them through music. Vanessa thought back to her time playing the piano and the role it played in her own emotional well-being, as well as the capacity for music to foster connections between people; this led her to learn about the music therapy profession.

In 2017, Vanessa made the decision to change career and retrain as a music therapist, graduating in 2020 with Distinction from Queen Margaret University.

Since qualifying as a music therapist, Vanessa has worked primarily in NHS mental health settings, and with Forth Music Therapy holding community music groups and working with individuals. Her approach is centred on the participatory and creative aspects of music making, and how this can support positive mental health and well-being. Vanessa has experience of working with people with dementia, children and adolescents, and people living with mental health conditions.

Vanessa offers in-person supervision at St. Margaret’s House in Edinburgh to newly qualified music therapists.

19/08/2024

Meet Laura! After graduating from Queen Margaret University with an MSc Music Therapy (Nordoff Robbins), Laura’s first post was with NHS Borders where she played a key role in the delivery of music therapy services to adults with learning disabilities and children with additional support needs, including autistic spectrum disorder, learning disabilities and emotional/behavioural difficulties. Following this, raising a new family became a priority which led to many years living on the north coast of Spain where she continued with her love for community music, joining a trio to offer vocal harmonies and percussion.

Upon returning to Scotland, Laura completed honorary work in adult mental health through NHS Lothian as part of her return to practice. She then came to Forth Music Therapy where she continues to develop her professional insight, learning alongside the broad range of people she supports, together with their families and carers. She is gaining new awareness of issues for children in care as well as homelessness and domestic abuse. Laura has a special interest in Mother Infant bonding and is developing opportunities for perinatal song circles. She holds a weekly Singing for Pregnancy and Parenthood group and will soon open a community singing group for mental health and wellbeing.

Laura is a singer-songwriter and has a jazz-based background, having earned a diploma in contemporary music (Selkirk College, Nelson, British Columbia) where elements of improvisation, connecting through music with spontaneity, self-expression and liberation, continue to inspire her music therapy work. She is interested in ethnomusicology and has undertaken independent study of percussion in Brazil as well as travelling to the south of Spain to take in the sounds of flamenco. Her travels and interest in other cultures has nurtured an ability to adapt and engage with diverse settings and people. She looks forward to many more years of connecting with people through music, both in clinical and community environments, where one can feel heard and uplifted, and a sense of belonging is nurtured.

14/08/2024

Meet Angeliki! Angeliki is a professional violinist and music therapist. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Music at the Department of Science and Art, University of Macedonia, in Greece in 2014; acquiring her violin diploma with distinction.

In 2015 she moved to Edinburgh in order to pursue her dream of becoming a music therapist. Since completing her MSc in Music therapy in 2017 at Queen Margaret University with distinction, she has been working as a freelance music therapist.

Angeliki has worked with a variety of client groups, such as adults with dementia, learning and physical disabilities, mental health illnesses, children with autism, emotional and behavioural needs, and in various settings such as schools, prisons and hospitals.

Currently, Angeliki is providing music therapy group sessions to care homes of elderly people living with dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and others, where she uses a variety of instruments and techniques including singing pre-composed songs, improvisation, song-writing and music games. Additionally, she organises and delivers individual music therapy sessions to children who have cancer, including their relatives.

Angeliki strives to promote music therapy, bringing it to the communities and people who need it most, regardless of their disability. She always aims to create a safe space for the individual, where they can express themselves beyond words and discover a creative way of engaging and interacting with music.

10/08/2024

Jenny is a classically-trained cellist and completed her BA (Hons) degree in Music at Leeds University in 2005.

She studied Music Therapy at Queen Margaret University culminating in an MSc (Nordoff-Robbins) in 2010. After graduation, she set up and provided Music Therapy services for the City of Edinburgh Council, Bupa and private clients, working with people with learning difficulties, brain injuries, autism and dementia and facilitating singing groups in care homes and day centres.

In 2016 she established Forth Music Therapy Service Ltd in order to develop new Music Therapy projects as well as to bring together therapists to work collaboratively and incorporate different approaches. Aiming to create more opportunities, she has set up projects for Care UK, Teens+, Barnardo’s and Capability Scotland.

Through Forth Music Therapy, Jenny aims to further develop its services, continuing to provide professional Music Therapy and music services to improve the well-being and quality of life for those who are hardest to reach and who need it most.

11/07/2024

We believe that music is much more than songs and sounds, but a form of expressive communication. Whether you use music to sing, dance, or just to relax, it helps us navigate diverse emotions!