About Me
As a qualified Music Therapist, registered as a professional with the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT), Esther-Anna set up Access Music Therapy Cork in 2019. Esther-Anna achieved the Masters in Music Therapy from the University of Roehampton, London in 2016 and the Bachelor of Music from UCC, Cork in 2014. During her studies in UCC, Esther-Anna volunteered with a community music group for adults with learning difficulties. It was during her volunteering that Esther-Anna first explored the positive effect that creative music making can have on an individual’s well-being. Esther-Anna is passionate about cultivating the right environment so her clients can feel safe enough to grow and build towards living a balanced life. When it comes to our general well-being, as a music therapist, she wants people to flourish psychologically, emotionally, socially and behaviourally. Clients may or may not have a diagnosis and some may have a dual-diagnosis, at present, Esther-Anna is working to help improve her client’s mental health. Esther-Anna, to date, has had the honour of working with clients of all ages and abilities. Some of which had the following diagnosis; Autism, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Learning Difficulties, Intellectual Difficulties and Down Syndrome, Bi-Polar and Schizophrenia. Esther-Anna uses music as a therapeutic tool to help the client better understand, communicate and express their emotions. ‘Where words fail, music speaks!’ While continuing her professional development, Esther-Anna has, thus far, upheld her training with IACAT, completed Module One of Làmh, maintains her Tusla ‘Children First’ eLearning safety training and completed a ‘Digital Music Technology course for Music Therapists’. In July 2021, Esther-Anna completed further Music Therapy training by achieving the Certificate in Neurologic Music Therapy. Esther-Anna is also nearing the end of her studies for the FETAC/QQI Level 5 Healthcare Assistant Course online through The Open College, as she believes in the holistic approach to the care of a person. Esther-Anna believes that our education is never complete and will therefore continue to expand her knowledge in the field of Music Therapy.
Experience
Music therapy for 5 years
Esther-Anna, to date, has had the honor of working with clients of all ages and abilities. Some of which had the following diagnosis; Autism, Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), Learning Difficulties, Intellectual Difficulties and Down Syndrome, Bi-Polar and Schizophrenia. Esther-Anna uses music as a therapeutic tool to help the client better understand, communicate and express their emotions. ‘Where words fail, music speaks!’
Approach
Music Therapy is a psychological therapy which uses mainly musical improvisation and structured musical activities to build a relationship between therapist and client. Attentive listening on the part of the therapist is combined with shared musical improvisation using instruments and voices so that people can communicate in their own musical language. It can help people of all ages and abilities but is often used when verbal skills are limited due to physical or learning disability, or they are unable to make use of a verbal therapy due to emotional distress. Music Therapy can be in groups or for individuals. No musical experience is required by the client.The aims of music therapy are entirely therapeutic, rather than educational or recreational. The therapist aims to provide an environment in which improvised music is used as an interactive medium. A variety of instruments are provided, such as tuned an un-tuned percussion, as well as a piano, guitar or ukulele. The sessions do not teach individuals music or encourage them to play in any particular way. The therapist acts as a facilitator to enable individuals to use their environment as a space which makes self-expression, exploration, communication and interaction possible.
Qualification
2021 Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT) Certificate 2020-Present: Undertaking Online Learning Program: Healthcare Support General QQI Level 5 from The Open College, Dublin. Currently undertaking final module – Disability Studies. 2014-2016: Masters in Music Therapy at the University of Roehampton. 2010-2014: Bachelor of Music at the University College Cork.
Locations