Mary Gayford

Areas I work with

I offer 1-1 music therapy sessions and group sessions.

I work with children, adolescents, and adults with depression, anxiety, attachment disorders, learning disabilities, autism, social, emotional and behavioural problems, brain injury, and with people suffering from dementia.

My work is tailored to the needs of each person, and sessions may include the following: free-improvisation on a range of musical instruments; singing and working on finding an authentic ‘voice’; song-writing; listening to and talking about music together; using music to regulate mood and reduce anxiety. Music therapy can be a powerful way of developing and strengthening the creativity and resilience in a child, particularly if they find themselves struggling in school or with
their peers. I work 1-1 with children and adolescents who may be experiencing performance anxiety relating to singing or instrumental graded exams, school performances, or GCSE and A Level exams.

I work using music to promote emotional regulation and as a grounding technique. I use singing for breathing work to reduced the physical symptoms of anxiety and overwhelm such as breathlessness and increased heart rate.

I work 1-1 with adults around areas of:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loneliness and isolation
• Trauma, including intergenerational trauma
• Adverse childhood experiences including; domestic violence; poverty; homelessness; sexual abuse
• Bereavement and Grief
• Identity and self-worth
• Climate change related fear
• Family Relationships including adoption; estrangement; living in care
• Sexual Relationships
• Friendships
• Fertility issues and baby loss
• Pregnancy
• New Parenthood
• Work-related issues including competition issues; imposter syndrome; career transitions

Qualifications and Training

I am a registered member of the Healthcare Professionals Council (HCPC) and hold a current DBS enhanced certificate. I have worked as a psychotherapist in the NHS since 2018, and as a music therapist since 2014. I also work as music therapist at the Secret Garden Nursery in Belsize Park.

• HCPC number: AS 15020
• DBS update service certificate: 001491386225
• Post Graduate Diploma Foundations of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
• MA Music Therapy: Guildhall School of Music
• MA (Oxon) Music, University of Oxford