Music therapy is the use of music as a therapeutic
intervention with people of all ages in a process designed to address emotional, cognitive, physical, transpersonal, social and community needs. Music therapy aims to develop potentials and improve quality of life through prevention, treatment or rehabilitation. In all instances the use of music is clinically informed, which involves a variety of clinical techniques implemented during musical improvisation, performance, composition, movement, vocal work and music listening. In some instances the musical activities may extend towards and include extra-musical elements such as talking, drama, art and story-telling.

Music therapy is practiced with individuals and groups and aims to:
enhance musical and general creativity; develop musical vocabulary; alternate means of communication through the non-verbal qualities of music; extend the range of emotional and self- expression through musical processes and lead to therapeutic change, in the context of the client-therapist relationship, through the co-creation of music.

THE TRAINING OF MUSIC THERAPISTS INCLUDES THEORETICAL AND CLINICAL FOUNDATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING MUSIC THERAPY APPROACHES:

MUSIC THERAPISTS

ADEL JANSE VAN RENSBURG

Qualifications:

Masters in Music Therapy

ANDELINE DOS SANTOS

Qualifications:

PhD, MMus - Music Therapy

ANNE VILJOEN

Qualifications:

B.Mus (Cum Laude); M.Mus (Music Therapy) (Cum Laude)

ANJA POLLARD

Qualifications:

BMus, BA Hons. Psychology, MMus Music Therapy, Fellow of the American Music and Imagery Association, MARI practitioner

ANNELET DU PREEZ

Qualifications:

MMus Music Therapy

CALEY GARDEN

Qualifications:

MMus (music therapy), UP

CALSEY SCHROEDER

Qualifications:

Masters in Music Therapy

CARINA STRYDOM

Qualifications:

MMus Music Therapy

CAROL LOTTER

Qualifications:

PhD, MMus - Music Therapy

SARAH HARRISON

Qualifications:

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Sarah Harrison is a registered Music Therapist specialising in cancer care, with a particular focus on supporting patients throughout the perioperative period. Working within the breast cancer and oncology setting, she uses evidence-informed music therapy to reduce anxiety, promote emotional regulation, and help alleviate the physiological stress response before, during, and after surgery. She is currently based at the Breast Cancer Clinic of Excellence, Milpark Netcare.

ANNELET PRINSLOO

Qualifications:

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I support clients, young and old in their journeys of becoming resilient and fulfilled human beings by applying Polyvagal Theory informed methods in the Arts Therapies – primarily music, art and sand tray therapy. I work as Music Therapist at the Innova kids schools and Future Wings academy for children with special needs; I serve the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia at RandAid Ron Smith Care Centre with music therapy groups and individual therapy addressing a range of emotional needs as well as palliative care, and I present two Music Therapy groups a week at RH Rand Clinic for psychiatric inpatients. I also see private clients at my practice in Kempton Park. I look forward to meeting you!

MEGAN MARKS

Qualifications:

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My practice as a music therapist is grounded in a client-centred approach that recognises the complexity of identity & lived experience. I work collaboratively with clients, seeking to understand & honour the intersections of neurodiversity, gender, sexuality, and culture that shape each individual’s needs & goals. My work is informed by a commitment to addressing gaps in current music therapy practice, particularly in relation to neurodivergent & LGBTQ+ communities. I aim to create a supportive, inclusive, and critically reflective therapeutic space where clients can explore & express themselves through music in ways that foster agency, connection, & growth.

KAREN DE KOCK

Qualifications:

15 years of practise at an NPO for profound special needs offered a deep insight into children, adolescents and adults diagnosed with CP and Down Syndrome. I specialise in mental healthcare for adolescents and adults diagnosed with MDD, GAD and PTSD, informed by 17 years practise in private psychiatric hospitals and individual sessions in private practise. My work is trauma-informed underpinned by a one-year post grad certification in Crises Debriefing and Trauma Counselling through UNISA. (NQF Level 6). An Honours in Enthnomusicology at UCT introduced me to traditional music healing practises and allows my interventions to be culturally informed. Outside clinical practise, I offer corporate and higher education group debriefing sessions and CPD sessions using sound, symbol and story towards healing and restoration.

MARGARIET SLABBERT

Qualifications:

Margariet Slabbert is an HPCSA-registered Music Therapist and Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT™) passionate about providing evidence-based, person-centred care across the lifespan. Her clinical approach integrates neuroscience-informed rehabilitation with the creative and relational foundations of music therapy, tailoring interventions to each individual’s strengths, needs, and goals. Her clinical interests include neurological rehabilitation, acquired and developmental language and communication disorders, neurodiversity, emotional wellbeing, and interdisciplinary rehabilitation. She believes that music is more than a therapeutic tool—it is a powerful human resource that can reconnect people with their abilities, relationships, identity, and hope, even in the face of illness or disability. Through meaningful, evidence-informed musical experiences, Margariet empowers clients to improve communication, cognition, emotional wellbeing, and participation in everyday life while working towards goals that matter most to them.

RONELLE HAUPTFLEISCH

Qualifications:

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KARIN MEYER

Qualifications:

My specialisation is music therapy and my approach is client-centred and psychodynamic. I work with individuals, couples, and families. As a registered EFT couples therapist, I often help struggling neurodiverse couples. My work is informed by the social justice model and I find it fulfilling to help others successfully navigate their mental health challenges.

INGRID PIEETERSE

Qualifications:

I have a passion for working with adults who have experienced trauma with a particular interest in work with adults with acquired disability. In therapy, music can be used as a powerful tool both in the rehabilitation process and in working towards emotional processing and identity integration in those recovering from trauma. I also have experience working with the elderly livingin a frail care setting and with children and young adults with special needs.

PETRA JERLING

Qualifications:

My approach is mainly Music and Imagery combined with positive psychology. I am qualified in bothbthese areas. I am also trained in Guided Imagery and Music and I hold a PhD in music and arts. I love working with adolescents and adults struggling with adapting and personal well-being. One of my main focuses is addiction, working with groups and individuals. Creative music therapy activities with the elderly is another interest in my practice.

LISE MAC DONALD

Qualifications:

As an HPCSA-registered music therapist and SACE-registered teacher working with neurodiverse learners, clinical goals focus on communication, emotional regulation, and social interaction.