Practitioner Directory

Abigayle Doe is an optician with a specialist understanding of performers' complex eyesight needs including visual fields and working distances, and reading notation while also focusing on the working environment and fellow performers. She is part of the team at Performing Arts Vision Care.

Dr Adam Ficek is a UKCP Accredited Clinical Psychotherapist, MBACP Counsellor and is qualified in EMDR and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. He has been involved in the music industry for 25 years as a performing artist and DJ and toured extensively at top level (EMI/Parlophone/Rough Trade) as a solo artist, band member and as a DJ. Following his own therapeutic experience within the music industry and witnessing the struggles (and consequences) of many of his peers, he decided to train as a psychotherapist.

Adam is experienced in both the NHS and private mental health settings. Areas of expertise include Anxiety, Addiction, Depression, Fame and celebrity, Trauma, Relationships, Burnout, Self esteem, Coaching (psychological and performance), substance abuse, touring and performance strategies.

From my unique perspective as both a professional musician and a psychotherapist I am able to draw upon first hand experience in both therapeutic, and performance practice, towards the implementation and management of mental health strategies in the music industry.

Alice Louise Nicholas is a Dramatherapist with 15 years professional experience as a performer / actor, playwright and director in the performing arts. Alice has experience in working with performing artists especially actors, directors, writers, theatre makers, devisers, performers, course leaders / tutors, dancers, producers. She can help with issues relating to any type of mental health, ill health (mild to severe), anxiety, trauma, abuse, neglect, attachment disorders / difficulties stress, relationship difficulties (inter and intra-personal), self-harm, social and emotional difficulties, developmental trauma, self-esteem and confidence.

Alistair Newton is an experienced BACP Accredited counsellor and supervisor.  He has worked as a counsellor in education, in charities, in the NHS as well as in private practice since 2014. The performing arts have seen Alistair work as a singer, actor, comic, presenter, musician, script writer and producer. "I am aware of the many issues that affect musicians and performers which may include anxiety and depression, a difficult work/life balance, uncertainty and financial pressures. I am able to relate to creative people and those who have a lifestyle or working pattern which is outside the mainstream as well as those dealing with creative blocks".

Alistair can help with issues relating to abuse, addiction, affairs and betrayals, alcoholism, anger management, anxiety, autism, bereavement, bullying, career counselling, depression, drug addiction, emotional abuse, family issues, feeling sad, health anxiety, internet addiction, LGBTQ+ counselling, loneliness, low self-confidence, low self-esteem, panic attacks, redundancy, relationship problems, self-harm, separation and divorce, sex addiction, sex problems, social anxiety, stress.

​Alistair is also a teacher, university lecturer and trainer. He has recently offered training in bereavement counselling, working with learning difficulties, humanistic counselling as well as counselling skills.

Amy Hunter studied at the British School of Osteopathy and graduated in 2009 with Distinction. She is registered with the General Osteopathic Council and has practised as an Osteopath in various multidisciplinary clinics in Sussex since graduating. Amy also has a first class Anatomy degree from Edinburgh University and until recently, lectured in anatomy to the undergraduate students at the European School of Osteopathy.

Amy has recently undertaken extra training to specialise treating women in their perimenopausal and postmenopausal years, and the extra challenges that this period in their life brings. She has also volunteered with an arthritis charity delivering chronic pain management courses. She is also trained in Dry needling and has a Sports massage qualification. Amy demonstrates anatomy to other Osteopaths and manual therapists at Brighton and Sussex Medical School every now and then, gives talks at Brighton Natural Health Centre to other movement therapists, and is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Amy's holistic approach to treatment uses a combination of gentle osteopathic techniques to help ease pain and restore normal movement and function, as well as discussing lifestyle, diet and exercise, and helping people to understand how their body works and what they can do to help themselves.

Amy is experienced in working with musicians and dancers and can help with musculoskeletal issues - joints and tendon problems, muscle tension or weakness, nerve pain or irritation - sympathetic overload (stress), breathing, pelvic floor issues. headaches and jaw problems. She also offers clinical musculoskeletal assessment (standing/ sitting/ lying, active and passive) basic clinical testing (nerve provocation, reflexes etc), massage, manipulation, MET, strapping, exercise advice, lifestyle advice and basic nutritional advice.

Andrea Hughes is an Alexander Technique teacher who has worked as a Production Designer for 25 years. " I understand the mental and physical demands of the media industry on both performers and practitioners. I want to help the people I understand to perform better and feel better".

Andrea has worked with musicians, actors and technicians on issues related to back, neck and wrist pain, shoulder problems and repetitive strain injury. She belongs to the Society of Teachers of Alexander Technique (STAT) and is CNHC registered.

Andrew Miles is an experienced chiropractor particularly interested in diagnosing and treating more tricky conditions that haven’t responded to other therapies and approaches. He works with patients of all ages. Whilst practising chiropractic in Cardiff, he has successfully treated many Welsh and international athletes, footballers, rugby players, actors, musicians, martial artists, skiers, snowboarders and has previously worked in conjunction with the occupational health department at the BBC when it was in Llandaff.

Andrew can help with issued related to musculoskeletal problems, acute and chronic back pain, disc injuries, sciatica, trapped nerves, neck pain, headaches, migraines, joint pain, muscle spasm and cramp, sports injuries, shoulder pain and complaints, elbow pain and complaints, ankle sprains and injuries, plantar fasciitis, symptoms arising from tension and inability to relax.

Andrew feels that often "patients have put up with an underlying problem for a long period of time and have developed compensation coping strategies but never get rid of the condition. With accurate diagnosis I aim to treat the main cause of the condition and give advice including exercises to reduce reoccurrence."

In 2021, Andrew was appointed to the Professional Conduct Committee of the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). He has served on the National Council of the Royal College of Chiropractors from 2001-2010 and has been Chair of the South Wales CPD (Continuing Professional Development) Faculty from 2001-2012.

Andy McCann is a Professor of Psychology.  He is also a Performance Coach who works with performers as well as professionals in sports, business and politics, using applied performance psychology and evidence based resilience focused strategies. He is a Professor of Psychology within the Faculty of Health, Psychology & Social Care at Manchester Metropolitan University and has expertise in helping performance professionals manage conditions including performance-related anxiety, perfectionism, stress, sleep disturbance and bruxism. He advises clients about media and social media, resilience, leadership and working with others, managing change and new challenges, roles and environments, work-life balance and clarifying personal values.

Anita Gould is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist currently heading the psychological therapies services at the Royal Academy of Music. Anita is experienced in working with performing artists and can help with issues relating to anxiety, work-related stress, performance anxiety, concerns about securing employment and/or income-related work activities, personal issues such as relationship difficulties, traumas, and concerns about the state of the world.

Anita also works with clients having neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD, Autistic Spectrum and OCD. She also offers clinical assessment, psychodynamic psychotherapy (short and long-term), and supervision to other clinicians.

Anna Cooper is a Specialist Teacher Assessor providing Diagnostic Assessment for adults and Learning Support, with a particular focus on music and the performing arts. She assesses dyslexia and provides educational assessments for ADHD and dyspraxia, aiming to harness individual strengths through devising tailored strategies which address areas of challenge and assist individuals throughout their educational and workplace careers. These assessments can be used to support application for the DSA (disabled student allowance in Higher Education) as well as the Access to Work Scheme.

Anna works with musicians, actors, musical theatre performers, other professionals and adult students. She is a trained woodwind musician herself, a member of the British Dyslexia Association's Music Committee, and is also neurodivergent (dyslexia and ADHD). As a professional musician and educator, she has both a personal and professional understanding of the demands of the industry, but especially in relation to the experiences and needs of neurodivergent performing artists.

Arran Knight is a counsellor working with musicians, dancers, vocalists, & musical theatre performers. He can help with issues relating to performance anxiety, injury strife, loss of passion, career transitions and retirement, and offers psychosynthesis counselling. Assessments include physical & emotional self care strategies. He provides individual and couples counselling and men's group work.

Based at Performance Physiotherapy, Pontypridd, Ben is an experienced physiotherapist providing injury assessment and diagnosis, injury rehabilitation and pain management to sports and creative professionals.

Beverley Hills is a MBACP accredited counsellor using several different methods of counselling, registered with health insurers BUPA, AXA PPP, PLE Health and the Vita Health Group (VHG). She has a background in the creative arena, mainly in acting, writing, presenting and voice work and has worked with many clients across the arts. She offers anxiety, panic attacks, feeling sad, low self-esteem, depression, as well as bereavement, performance and social anxiety, general anxiety disorder, family and relationship issues like affairs or betrayal, sexual or communication issues, LGBTQ community problems, including transgender and transitioning, plus BAME issues like diaspora and belonging. Beverley also offers careers counselling.

Beverley is currently in training to be a Hypnotherapist at The University of Surrey, She is a student member of the IHA (International Hypnotherapy Association) and the NCH (National Council for Hypnotherapy) and can offer sessions at a reduced rate whilst in training.

Carolyn Allen is a speech and language therapist, specialising in adult voice problems and adult stammering. Carolyn has worked with singers and actors and can help with any voice difficulty e.g. nodules, papillomas, muscle tension dysphonia, muscle tension dysphagia, spasmodic dysphonia, Reinke's Oedema, vocal cord palsy and globus. Carolyn is also qualified to provide vocal massage which can help to relieve muscular niggles around the neck (including the voice box / larynx), face and head, and 'reset' the voice. She is a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and her work is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council.

She is also experienced in working with clients who do not have any obvious voice diagnosis from ENT but for whom their voice is working sub-optimally and not meeting performance-level demands. Carolyn offers services in speech and language therapy, voice therapy, voice manual therapy and stammering therapy. "I am skilled at identifying how individual clients and groups of professional voice users may unwittingly be placing limitations on their vocal potential, and I look forward to finding out what the voice means to you and how we can help you reach your goals".  

Performing arts and sports specialist physiotherapy, acupuncture, specialist vocal physiotherapy. Has experience working at BAPAM and in her own practice with many creative professionals and students.

Cathie first had Alexander Technique lessons whilst studying for a diploma in musical directing at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). She found them extremely interesting and beneficial, and after developing R.S.I. through using a computer and playing the piano, she decided to re-train as an A.T. teacher to learn more about what was causing these issues and to eventually help others. She qualified in 2008 from a three year, STAT recognised training course at the Constructive Teaching Centre in London.

Cathie has a music degree, worked as a piano teacher and has played several instruments including the violin, flute and harp. She was Alexander Technique teacher for the European Union Youth Orchestra for five years and she now works with musicians, singers and creative practitioners in schools and colleges and at home.

Charlotte Wadham is a psychodynamic psychotherapist, counsellor and supervisor.  She worked in classical music management for 15+ years before training as a therapist. Keen violinist. Also has clients in dance, theatre and film. Can help with problems including depression, anxiety, stress, addictions, bullying, career issues, creative block, identity and self-esteem, relationship difficulties, post-natal depression, physical health problems and life transitions. See clients in Acton and Hammersmith.

Chloe Spencer graduated from the University College of Osteopathy (formerly the British School of Osteopathy) with a Masters in Osteopathy (MOst). With a background in singing, both in teaching and performance, she specialises in care of the voice, and is a member of two local choirs. She is also a member of OPACA - the Osteopathic Performing Arts Care Association.

Chloe can help in all musculoskeletal disorders, muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) & any physical-based voice issues.

Chris is an experienced Osteopath, specialising in treating musculoskeletal pain and injury. Chris uses a versatile range of hands-on techniques which may include, soft tissue massage, joint articulation, spinal adjustments, low level light therapy, dry needling and light-touch (cranial). He works with various performing artists including professional dancers and acrobat/trapeze artists.

Chris continues to work closely alongside a number of highly specialised practitioners including Osteopaths, private GP’s, orthopaedic surgeons and podiatrists, and has a depth of knowledge which helps address the root causes of pain.

Over the past number of years Chris has a particular interest in identifying health problems that are not yet pathological (indicative of or caused by disease) and has found that internal imbalances (cellular dysfunction, toxic burden, hormone imbalance, immune dysregulation and chronic infections) and external imbalances (air quality, food quality, sleep patterns, external stress) have a huge impact on our overall health.

Chris believes that with early detection, many health problems can be prevented and managed with appropriate diet and lifestyle interventions. This holistic approach allows the patient to understand their pain on a wider scale, helping steer patients away from pain and disfunction, and back towards optimal health.

Claire Hope is a Music therapist and musician. She has worked with creative professionals experiencing difficulties including:

Performance anxiety
Trauma
Stress
Depression, including post-natal depression
Relationship difficulties
Communication disorders
Bereavement
Fertility issues/miscarriage
Low self-esteem

She can help performers prepare for auditions, introduce techniques to 'free up' musicians having difficulty improvising, and teach breathing techniques.

Claire is very experienced working with families and children, covering a wide range of needs including autism, adoption, mental health, parent-baby, profound and multiple learning difficulties and behavioural difficulties. She is particularly interested in attachment and draws on psychodynamic and developmental theory.

Colin Mitchell is a highly experienced (BACP Accredited) counsellor and clinical supervisor, who works with clients in the performing arts in Scotland. He obtained an MSc in Counselling from the University of Abertay, Dundee. He furthered his specialist training in EMDR and is a COSCA Accredited Diploma trainer. Colin has delivered post-graduate equivalent training in counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Colin can help with issues relating to low mood, depression, stress, anxiety, OCD, trauma/PTSD, addictive behaviours, disordered eating, anger, self-esteem and identity.

Daisy Duval is a humanistic psychotherapeutic counsellor trained in Gestalt, Transactional Analysis, person-centred and existential approaches. She works with parts of the self; metaphor and imagery; clues from the body, such as bodily sensations and gestures; relational patterns noticed in one's personal life and in the therapy room.

Daisy has worked with young people and students, women who have a history of trauma, and people experiencing a range of emotional and relational difficulties often at transitional points in their life. She offers counselling to professional voice users as part of a holistic vocal care centre based in Lewes. Daisy can help with issues relating to anxiety, depression, family issues, loneliness, health related issues, identity issues, life transitions, parenting issues, relationships, self esteem, self-harm, stress, trauma, and work-related issues.

Dan Turnell specialises in treating performers including instrumental musicians, singers and dancers. He has expertise in pre-hab injury prevention, rehabilitation, vocal problems (including Laryngeal Manual Therapy), minimising risks in puppetry and physical performance. He has worked with many artists, including as the physiotherapist  for touring dance companies and West End productions. His practice is based in Manchester and he sees many RNCM and Northern Ballet School students. Dan also runs a regular, free BAPAM physiotherapy clinic.

"We're an elite physiotherapy clinic with our values rooted in the care of professional performers, and the belief that this should be available to all. We aim to utilise our state of the art facilities and injury, treatment and rehabilitation knowledge and skills to provide each client with a personalised and effective treatment plan, which will ensure that you can return to pain free performance quickly, effectively and confidently."

Dave Chambers is a qualified Person-Centred Counsellor and Psychotherapist offering a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space for musicians, artists and others.   He provides online video and telephone therapy to people experiencing a wide range of issues including;

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Low Self-Esteem
• LGBTQ+
• Stress
• Racial Discrimination
• HIV & AIDS
• Relationship Problems
• Anger

Dave specialises in masculinity issues – helping men to become more comfortable with expressing their emotions and vulnerabilities, in order to improve their performance, relationships and quality of life. He has also received additional training in working with clients from the Black, Asian and LGBTQ+ communities and uses affirmative practice.  Dave is sensitive to the needs of marginalised people and welcomes clients of all genders, sexualities and ethnicities.

Dave offers a free, no-obligation first session, giving you the opportunity to assess how he works and to help you decide whether you wish to continue.

Dimitrios is a specialist CBT practitioner accredited by the BABCP, which is the primary professional organisation for CBT therapists in the UK. In addition, he is a qualified integrative counsellor and a registered member of the BACP, which is the largest Counselling & Psychotherapy professional body in Europe.

Dimitrios specialises in providing clinical assessments and treatments for individuals struggling with various mental health conditions, such as anxiety, performance anxiety, depression, Social Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), phobias, and panic disorder. In addition, he can help you address issues related to health anxiety, trauma, panic attacks, agoraphobia, anger, shame, personal development, body image, insomnia, work-related stress or issues, self-esteem, low confidence, anger management, and relationship or familial difficulties.

Dimitrios has extensive experience in mental health settings, having worked with diverse client groups from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. He has provided professional services to highly accredited organizations, charities, and institutions such as the English National Healthcare System (NHS), MIND, and Change Grow Live (CGL). In addition, Dimitrios has worked in various settings, including hospitals, medical centres, drug and alcohol services, military bases, and schools. He is highly supervised, works closely with other mental health professionals, follows the National Health and Care Guidelines (NICE) and keeps up to date with developments in CBT and Integrative psychotherapy practice.

Dr Gulamali's patients include musicians, voiceover artists, actors and models, and a culture is in place that values the significance of their oral and dental health to their careers extending over many years. Dentures, tooth wear, dental implant complications, missing/failing teeth, injury/trauma. Brass and woodwind instrumentalists benefit from the specialist skills available in the practice for advice and treatment of embouchure problems involving the teeth and muscles of the mouth and jaw. Corrections of tooth positions and angulations for improved embouchure formation, fixed bridgework and implant stabilised dentures are all available to improve and extend musical careers. String instrumentalists benefit from the improvement and treatment of face and neck muscle pain and the associated dental discrepancies that may contribute to this condition, easing discomfort and possible over-use injury.

Now offering specialist oral surgery treatment including complex extractions and minor oral surgeries, and a dental hygienist and oral health promotor for children and adults. Specialising also in gum disease - periodontist, and root canal - endodontist.

Dr Alison Loram is an Alexander Technique teacher working extensively with musicians and performers. She has a great deal of experience helping student and professional violinists/viola players with their set up i.e. the interface of the instrument in relation to supporting/playing it. She teaches at Birmingham Conservatoire, RNCM and privately in both Crewe and Birmingham.

Alison qualified as a teaching member of PAAT in 1992 and has been a part-time lecturer in the Alexander Technique at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire since 1993 and a guest-lecturer at the Royal Northern College of Music since 2016.

Trained originally as a professional violinist at the Royal College of Music, Alison was drawn to the Alexander Technique by a persistent musculoskeletal problem specific to violin playing.  Much of her teaching involves helping student and professional musicians prevent and overcome performance-related difficulties, and improve their performance and practise.

Following her Alexander Technique training, Alison has been a registered practitioner with the British Association of Performing Arts Medicine since 2008 and has given numerous talks and seminars at conferences and meetings, and in music colleges and university departments, to academics, healthcare professionals and performers alike.  With a BSc and PhD in Biological Sciences and a number of years working as a post-doctoral researcher, in 2013, Alison gained an MSc in Performing Arts Medicine from University College London. Her research thesis “Chronic profession-limiting problems in musicians; Underlying mechanisms and neuroplastic routes to recovery”, undertaken with PAAT colleagues and movement scientists at Manchester Metropolitan University, can be found here.

Alison returned to violin playing ten years ago and, based in Crewe, performs as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and freelance orchestral player in the Midlands and the North West of England.  She teaches the Alexander Technique to individuals and groups, in person and online.

Details of Alison’s Thesis (“Chronic profession-limiting problems in musicians: Underlying mechanisms and neuroplastic routes to recovery”) can be viewed here.

Her 2017 presentation to the UCL Institute of Education (“Explaining the Alexander Technique to clinicians and scientists”) can be viewed here.

BAPAM Assessing Clinician and NHS GP experienced advising performing arts professionals and students about all work/study-related problems. Safeguarding lead for BAPAM.

Dr Anna Waters is a performance and sport psychologist who is experienced at coaching performing artists, teachers, coaches and medical support teams on an individual basis and in group sessions. Anna can help with all aspects of performance psychology, in particular: stage fright, anxiety, managing nerves, dealing with and recovering from the psychological effects of injury, preparing for auditions, managing setbacks and rejection, dealing with pressure from social media, time management, building resilience, and improving mental preparation for performance.

Having a brother who is a theatre producer and having played violin and acted for many years growing up, has given me insight into the dynamics and intricacies of the world of performing arts. Over the past 20 years, I have worked with numerous performers including classical musicians, opera singers, ballerinas, stand-up comedians, actors and singers. I can offer insight and help you to develop skills, tools and techniques, which you can individualise and apply to your performance.

Dr Anthony Ordman is a highly experienced Consultant in Pain Medicine, familiar with musicians' medical and pain management needs, and expert in long-term pain and related conditions including spinal or musculoskeletal pain, nerve pain, and the effects of adverse psychological states on pain. He is also a specialist in using cannabis-based medicines. Dr Ordman is the Honorary Medical Adviser to the Royal Society of Musicians and a member of BAPAM's Medical Committee. He is is a keen musician and singer himself.

Dr Arun Dev Vellore is a specialist in Respiratory Medicine (Chest Medicine), Internal Medicine, Occupational & Environmental disease, Interstitial Lung Disease, General Internal Medicine, Medical Negligence, experienced working with performers such as vocalists or wind players with respiratory disorders, and performance professionals with worsening lung function.

Conditions managed include: Intractable cough. Vocal cord dysfunction. Hyperventilation syndromes. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea. Disability arising from chest trauma. Chronic Chest pain. Cardiac Failure. Occupational Lung Disease. Chest Medicine, General Medicine, Occupational Medicine.

Dr Vellore is an NHS consultant at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

He provides online consultations to any BAPAM-registered patients worldwide, and in-person in Birmingham.

Dr Fozia Hamid combines her clinical expertise and interest in music and the performing arts in her work at BAPAM, where she advises professional and student performers and creative practitioners about a wide spectrum of physical and mental health concerns relating to their work. She is an NHS GP based in London.

BAPAM Assessing Clinician advising performing arts professionals and students about all work/study-related problems. Also an NHS GP.

Performing arts specialist Psychologist, Dr Irina Roncaglia’s, work focuses on using positive psychology, particularly in supporting professional elite dancers with wellness and well-being, performance optimisation and career development. She also works with young individuals with Autistic Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) and high functioning Asperger Syndrome (AS).

Her work as a psychologist and researcher is inspired and informed by her longstanding career in the Performing Arts, including over 14 years with English National Ballet (former London Festival Ballet). She aims to improve, empower and promote self-growth, wellness and well-being in professional elite dancers and performers through a collaborative and facilitating consultative holistic model.

Among the methods that she uses to treat patients are: Psychological skills training, CBT, Coaching, Exercise, Dance, Applied Positive Psychology, Mindfulness and ACT.

Alexander Technique teacher with experience helping people avoid and manage musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Rehabilitation. Hypermobility. Maintaining stable practice regimes. Woodwind instruments. Guitar. Special interest in performance anxiety and pre-performance nerves. Works at the RWCMD, Cardiff and privately in Bristol.

Dr McKavanagh is an NHS and BAPAM GP who holds BAPAM clinics in Liverpool and Manchester and helps artists and creative practitioners with a range of physical and mental health concerns. She is a graduate of the UCL Performing Arts Medicine MSc programme.

She is an experienced Doctor who has worked in the NHS for 35 years, and also a performing musician who has performed in solo recitals, and worked as an accompanist for ABRSM and LCM music examinations. She holds an LTCL in Piano Performance and has played violin, viola, clarinet, celtic harp and vibraphone in the past. She have also sung soprano in a chamber choir for the past 20 years.

Special interests include disorders affecting instrumental musicians, particularly overuse musculoskeletal and neurological injuries, focal musicians dystonias and cognitive, hearing and other sensory conditions,sexual and reproductive health and travel medicine.

Dr Moira McCormack is a physiotherapist and former professional classical ballet dancer and teacher of classical ballet. Moira has worked with classical ballet dancers, professional musical theatre dancers, vocational dance students of all ages and contemporary dancers.

Moira can help with returning the dancer to technical class and performance through understanding the cardiovascular, strength and technical demands involved. She tackles issues relating to lower limb (including spine), foot and ankle, shoulder girdle and post surgical rehabilitation. She is experienced working with hypermobile patients. She practises at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH) in central London.

Laryngology - voice assessment, voice surgery. Worked with over 1000 professional voice users of all types. Experience dealing with: Inflammatory: reflux, systemic conditions. Vocal fold lesions: cysts, polyps, nodules, scars, sulci, mucosal bridge, granulomas. Neurological: vocal fold palsy, Parkinson's. Muscle Tension and Kinetic Chain imbalances affecting the voice. NHS Specialist Voice Clinic at Lewisham Hospital. Private appointments available at Lewisham and London Bridge Hospital. Mr Gibbins treats all aspects of general and paediatric ENT conditions. He also has an interest in thyroid, parathyroid and salivary gland surgery. BAPAM can provide further referral guidance 020 7404 8444 / info@bapam.org.uk

BAPAM and NHS GP. Advises all performing arts professionals and students about work-related health problems, and is a graduate of the UCL Performing Arts Medicine MSc programme. NHS practice at Grove Surgery, Thetford (only NHS patients registered at the practice can be seen here).

Dr Pippa Wheble is an NHS and BAPAM GP, and a graduate of the Performing Arts Medicine MSc programme at UCL. She has special interests in anxiety management and breathing techniques. Her other interests in the context of General Practice include holistic and integrated health care, occupational health, women's health, ophthalmology. She is a keen singer and instrumentalist, playing violin, viola, saxophone and piano, and she has also trained in dance. She is a BAPAM assessing clinician and the lead facilitator for our Community Drop In peer support sessions.

Dr Rick Seah is an experienced consultant in Sport, Exercise & Musculoskeletal Medicine (SEMM). He has previously worked as a BAPAM Assessing Clinician helping performing artists with a range of musculoskeletal problems. He works with artists from dance, musical theatre and circus, and he specialises in Dance medicine, Sports injuries; Musculoskeletal injuries; Exercise-induced leg pain; Paediatric & Adolescent SEM; Bone stress injuries; Muscle, tendon & ligament soft tissue injuries; Injection therapies; Musculoskeletal rehabilitation; Physical activity and exercise prescription.

His NHS clinic is at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore, where he works closely with surgeons, physiotherapists and allied health professionals. Imaging such as x-ray, MRI and ultrasound is available. Patients can be referred by their NHS GP using the eRS system.

Dr Seah was sports physician at the English Institute of Sport (EIS), treating GB athletes at their elite multi-sport clinics in University College Hospital centrally and Lee Valley Athletics Centre in east London. Rick worked as a sports medicine doctor at both London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games. He qualified in medicine from Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals Medical School, University of London, in 1999. He is an accredited musculoskeletal sonographer. He has an interest in medical education and is an accredited member of the Academy of Medical Educators (MAcadMEd).

Sarah is a Performing Arts Medicine Physiotherapist and Educator, working mainly with instrumental musicians. She has extensive clinical experience in assessing & treating playing-related musculoskeletal injuries in instrumental musicians, and she is passionate about injury prevention, and promoting musculoskeletal well-being in musicians.

Sarah is the physiotherapist at The Purcell School for Young Musicians and well-being lead for the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain. She is an assessing clinician and educator for BAPAM and also works in a thriving private practice near Cambridge (montaguclinic.com).

Additionally, she is in high demand as a teacher and speaker, and has contributed her expertise to school INSET sessions for visiting instrument teachers, INSET sessions at County Music Hubs, the Royal College of Music Junior Department, the Royal Northern College of Music undergraduate and post-graduate wellbeing curriculum, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic 'Careers in the Music Industry' Study Day, BAPAM Healthy Practice training sessions, Musicians' Union 'well-being for musicians' activities and the Benedetti Foundation.

She has a Doctorate of Education from the University of Cambridge, and has had her research findings accepted for presentation at National, International and World Conferences (UK National Physiotherapy Conferences (2012, 2017 and 2019), International Society of Music Education World Conference (Baku, Azerbaijan, 2018), Performing Arts Medicine Association International Symposium (New Orleans, 2020).

Dr Stella Compton provides Integrative, cognitive analytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy and now walk talk and equine assisted therapy. Stella studied at the Royal Academy of Music and worked as a performer for many years in all mediums from orchestral, session to jazz and improvising as an HCPC registered Music Therapist. Stella also worked in the NHS for 20 years as a Head of Arts Therapies and Clinical Research Lead.

Stella provides private individually tailored time-limited or longer -term therapies for performers from all areas of the music industry. Stella has helped a wide range of clients including people concerned about eating disorders, body dysmorphophobia, sexuality, bereavement, physical and sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, job loss, parents caring for with children with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), as well as people with personality disorders and offenders in secure treatment settings.

She now provides a blended programme of online and face to face cognitive analytic and trauma focused sessions, depending on clinets' needs. She has worked with performers to recover from depression as well as performance related, social and generalised anxieties. She uses mindfulness techniques sometimes underlying issues such as domestic violence or historical abuse emerge. Following an initial assessment session, clients can work collaboratively with her to ensure that their therapy or counselling is tailored to meet their needs.

To these services Stella has developed individual programmes of gently paced nature based walk-talk and equine assisted therapy. She is now focusing on the treatment of depression, performance and generalised anxiety.

As of April 2024 Stella will be providing therapeutic retreats for people who have suffered trauma. For details please refer to website.

Recent publications:

Dr. Tom Mountjoy is an experienced HCPC Registered Clinical Psychologist and Chartered Psychologist with substantial experience across mental health, clinical health psychology, and neuropsychology settings (NHS and Independent Practice). He is also a published Composer/Producer and multi-instrumentalist, working exclusively in television and film production music, and splits his time between these two professions.

Tom has a genuine interest in the Arts and a solid understanding of many challenges faced by people working in this field. He is experienced in working therapeutically with high-performing individuals from a range of industries, and is dedicated in offering quality mental health input to working-age adults.

Clinically, Tom provides assessment and therapy services that address a variety of psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, as well as workplace-related challenges and occupational stress. He has additional interests in acquired brain injury, neurological conditions, medically unexplained symptoms and neurological-like symptoms, and adjustment to living with chronic health conditions and disability.

In terms of therapeutic approach, Tom predominantly uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Cognitive Analytic Therapy informed approaches but adopts an integrative style. He offers remote consultations (nationwide) and face-to-face appointments (central Leeds). Tom sees individuals aged 18 upwards and works clinically on Mondays and Tuesdays; please expect a delay in response outside of these times.

Areas of interest:

Mental Health, including:
• Anxiety
• Depression and low-mood
• Stress and adjustment to difficult life events
• Panic Attacks
• Phobias
• Self-esteem and assertiveness

Occupational Health:
• Workplace stress management
• Developing resilience
• Managing work-life balance
• Specialist assessment and support

Physical Health:
• The psychological impact of living with physical health conditions such as neurological conditions (including acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, brain tumours, stroke), chronic health conditions, and medically unexplained and neurological-like symptoms (such as non-epileptic attacks and functional movement disorders)
• Living with other difficulties related to health conditions, such as chronic pain and issues relating to self-identity

Elizabeth Susan Holmes is an experienced optometrist who has gained higher professional qualifications in Minor Eye Conditions and has a Certificate in Glaucoma from The College of Optometrists. Elizabeth enjoys talking to her clients about their lifestyle and how that relates to their eyewear needs. She has worked with musicians and vocalists from a variety of backgrounds, dancers/performers, actors, producers and technicians.  She helps with visual correction for performance professionals when spectacles are not appropriate, and with visual stress when reading text/music. She also treats clients for dry eyes, double vision, and other eye conditions.

In her spare time, Elizabeth loves to make music and is a talented Pianist and Clarinetist. She has taken advanced clarinet lessons at the Royal Northern College of Music. She was Principal Clarinetist in the University of Bradford Symphony Orchestra, a member of the City of Hull Youth Symphonic Wind Band, and has played professionally for bands and events.

Elizabeth is registered with General Optical Council (GOC), Association of Optometrists (AOP), Ophthalmic Performers list (OPL), and NHS. She is part of the team at Performing Arts Vision Care.

Elodie Gauthier is a senior performing arts specialist physiotherapist working at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, privately, and through BAPAM at our Glasgow clinic. She is also a writer & musician, a yoga teacher and an assistant researcher in psychology. She is also a volunteer postnatal companion with Amma Birth Companions. She enjoys practising and teaching a variety of movement forms, including dance, martial arts, yoga and Pilates. A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, she offers safer spaces to her patients and students from all walks of life, whether in clinical or educational settings.

Fiona Butterworth is a senior clinical audiologist and hearing aid dispenser. She studied at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (part of the University of Southampton), completing a joint honours undergraduate degree in acoustical engineering and music before starting her masters in audiology. She has a varied clinical workload including selection, fitting and fine tuning of hearing technology specifically for musicians.

Keeping up her musical endeavours in her spare time, Fiona is keen to use her own experiences to inform her work, and is continually broadening her understanding of how hearing, hearing aids, and music are linked. Fiona has given presentations to several London orchestras and organisations in addition to speaking at a number of conferences, raising awareness and educating on the importance of using hearing protection within all musical environments.

Fiona provides hearing tests and other diagnostic testing, wax removal, hearing aid assessments, hearing aid fittings and follow ups, hearing protection. She can help with issues relating to hearing loss, wax removal, noise exposure and provision of hearing protection, tinnitus, and diplacusis.

Fiona Macbeth is an integrative counsellor and psychotherapist who has worked with hundreds of performers running the counselling service at one of the bigger London Colleges for the Performing Arts for several years, as well as working with many adult performers referred via BAPAM. Fiona worked for many years at a managerial level at the BBC, and understands the stresses of corporate employment and modern living. Experienced in working with panic attacks, performance anxiety, generalised anxiety and low self-esteem but also a range of other psychological issues common to performers including perfectionism, confused identity, repressed emotions, distress due to physical injury and eating disorders. Fiona is also a counselling lecturer at a Brighton Adult Education College. She sees clients face to face in Brighton and offers online counselling. Please visit www.fionamacbeth.co.uk to see latest blogs. She offers a discounted rate to BAPAM referrals. She sees clients face to face in Brighton and offers online counselling. Please visit www.fionamacbeth.co.uk to see latest blogs.

Gabriella Flatt is an integrative psychotherapist. She tailors her therapy to each client's needs, using psychodynamic, humanistic/relational/person centred plus CBT approaches. Her work is also based on forming a strong and supportive connection with her clients to facilitate change. Due to her creative background, Gabriella enables this in her clinical work by drawing on narrative therapy or working with metaphors and imagery to help verbalise trauma and drawing on different perspectives and ideas to match every individual.

Gabriella helps with a range of issues which include performance anxiety, bereavement, sexual orientation, domestic/sexual abuse, trauma, drug addiction, underlying depression/psychosis and personality disorders.  She has experience in mental health support of musicians (including string players/pianists/opera singers/musical theatre performers/jazz musicians) as well as with film actors/theatre directors and puppeteers (in the theatre).

Before becoming a psychotherapist, Gabriella worked as a professional session violinist for film sound scores, West End shows and as a classical rep pianist for opera studios in London. Her background has always been in music and the arts having grown up in a very creative family.

"Music is itself a fascinating professional industry but one that also enables a great degree of anxiety and low self-esteem to flourish."

George Tyros is a highly experienced clinical physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal, sports and geriatric physiotherapy. He has been treating performers extensively since 2016, seeing many musicians from the CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) and performing arts professionals working at venues including Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Utilita Arena Birmingham and Symphony Hall plus touring dancers, strings and brass instrumentalists.

For 10 years George was the lead sports physiotherapist for the Greek Swimming Federation (KOE) and the Greek Olympic team (swimming department) where he overlooked the prevention and rehabilitation of sports injuries in elite swimmers. He saw that performers share many of the same attributes and benefit from specialised care from informed health care professionals who understands their specific physical and psychosocial support needs.

He has a special interest in Geriatrics particularly the 80+ group and possesses substantial experience with the pre-and post-operative management of orthopaedic procedures such as joint replacements.

He works with Isaac Tyros (also listed in the BAPAM Directory) at Edgbaston Physiotherapy.

Hannah is a psychotherapist specialising in EMDR. She has worked with a variety of creative practitioners working from violinists to singers and DJs, and can help with trauma, anxiety, depression, performance anxiety, bereavement etc. She also uses EMDR to support performance optimisation for those working in the arts, sport, business and science.

Harley Street Hearing / Musicians' Hearing Services have many years' experience supporting all performers and those working in the performing arts with their hearing, and they run the Musicians' Hearing Health Scheme. They help with issues relating to hearing loss, wax removal, noise exposure and provision of hearing protection, tinnitus, and diplacusis. The senior team include BAPAM-registered Audiologists Fiona Butterworth and Paul Checkley. Discounted fees are available to BAPAM patients, MU, BECTU and ISM members.

Available services include: 

• Hearing tests
• Wax removal
• Assessment, testing and management of Auditory Processing Disorder
• Hearing aid assessments, fittings, follow ups and appropriate management of devices
• Hearing Therapy Assessment and management/rehabilitation (including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - CBT)
• Diagnostic testing of auditory issues
• Diagnostic testing and management/rehabilitation of vestibular issues
• Hearing protection and In Ear monitors
• Musicians' Hearing Health Scheme (with Help Musicians, Musicians' Union and ISM)
• Hearing Health Education (workshops and presentations)

About Companies and Group Practices Listed on the BAPAM Directory

Heather is a dramatherapist based in County Armagh in Northern Ireland, having graduated from Maynooth University in Kildare in 2018. She works full-time as a Psychological Trauma Therapist using Dramatherapy and cognitive behavioural practice in the Trauma Centre in the Belfast NHS Trust. She has a specific interest in trauma and specialises in one-to-one sessions. Heather is also a singer, and has experience in acting and presenting, as well as working freelance for community groups and private clients.

Heather is passionate about promoting dramatherapy within the NI NHS Trusts, as well as working towards creating a dramatherapy Masters' course in Northern Irish universities. Heatheris the Vice-Chair for BADth (British Association of Dramatherapists),the NI rep for dramatherapy in AHPFNI (Allied Health Professionals Federation Northern Ireland), and is also a former council person and registered member of IACAT (Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists).

Helen Brice is an experienced psychotherapist, counsellor and skills coach who worked for 17 years in the commercial music industry as a performer, music producer & manager before going on to set up a psychotherapeutic service for performers, Stimmung Therapy. Where appropriate, clients can access the Stimmung Therapy Programme, delivered together with Miranda Jackson, who is also a BAPAM Registered therapist. Initial assessment is followed by a combination of trauma/existential/autogenic work, and skills coaching and behaviour therapy for breaking old habits and creating new ones. Helen also offers Radically Open Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (RO DBT)-informed sessions for maladaptive perfectionism and procrastination.

Howard Maxwell Turner is a physiotherapist, highly experienced in working with musicians and dancers. After gaining his degree in physiotherapy from Latrobe University in Melbourne, he worked in Montreal before settling in the UK.

Howard has worked in the NHS, in occupational health, in private practice and as a consultant to a variety of sporting teams and bodies. He has taught on 6 of the UK’s Physiotherapy Masters programmes for 30 years, on clinical reasoning, disorders of the lumbo-pelvic-hip complex and shoulder problems. He has also taught post-graduate training courses to physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors on the management of low-back pain of pelvic origin and hip and groin pain.  He has consulted to British Cycling, UK Athletics, British Swimming, the English Institute of Sport, the LTA and LTAA, the RFU, West Ham, QPR, Sale Sharks and London Irish and has provided training to the Physiotherapy departments of many household name sporting clubs and bodies.

Howard’s specialist interest is in chronic neck and back pain, sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and pelvic pain and disorders, headache, and neuropathic pain.

Isaak Tyros is a highly trained physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, a researcher and a member of faculty at the University of Birmingham where he teaches full-time in the Physiotherapy department. He is a semi-professional musician (bass guitarist) who treats musicians and dancers regularly.

Jason is a registered Osteopath with The General Osteopathic Council, an alumnus of The London School of Osteopathy, and co-founder of The Film Physios. Previous clinical experience includes delivering MSK support within the Lawn Tennis Association, Eton College, and The Princess Grace Hospitals in London.

Jason delivers a hybrid approach of osteopathy, osteo-massage and modalities including Extracorporeal Shockwave therapy and medical acupuncture to provide occupational health and injury rehabilitation support to film and TV industry professionals. This includes cast, dancers and performers, stunt performers and crew members across Netflix, HBO, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Sony, and Universal Pictures productions including Wicked parts 1&2, Disneys Snow White, Mission Impossible franchise, HBO's House of the Dragon and the Black Mirror series.

Jason is also a registered Extracorporeal Shockwave therapist and DSE assessor. Jason’s skill set includes osteopathy, strength and conditioning, hands on treatment, rehabilitation of acute and chronic MSK conditions and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy; with special interests in the treatment of chronic tendon pathologies and performance related injuries, instability and hyper mobility. Jason also offers medical dry needling.

Appointments are delivered at Jason’s clinics at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, St Albans, Hertfordshire and Sky Studios Elstree, Hertfordshire. Jason also travels to other studios upon request.

Jennifer Parr is a Hand Therapist with experience in treating acute trauma, surgical and long term conditions affecting the hand and upper limb. Jennifer has spent much her career working for the NHS where she completed her junior core rotations and moved into a role as a specialist physiotherapist in hand therapy. "It is highly rewarding to be a part of clients journey back to a full recovery, whether that is use of exercise and education, splinting to immobilise the painful joints, or post-operative wound and scar care".

Jennifer can help with issues including tenosynovitis, trigger finger, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, thumb osteoarthritis and focal dystonia. She offers services and therapies in manual therapy, splinting, home exercise, performance technique, ergonomics, modification and wax therapy.

As a child/young adult Jennifer played piano, cello and violin and was involved in orchestras, string quartets and piano performances. She works with musicians, creative professionals and a wide range of patients with hand and upper limb problems affecting their work and daily life, as part of the team at Six Physio.

Johanna Chatelain is an Osteopath graduating with distinction in Master of Osteopathy from the University College of Osteopathy. She enjoys treating people of all ages and backgrounds. Coming from a musical and artistic background herself, she has developed a keen interest in treating performing artists which has led her to complete a postgraduate certificate in Performing arts medicine at the University College of London. Joanna is part of the Institute of Osteopathy (iO) and the Osteopathic Performing Arts Care Association, and is registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

Johanna uses a wide range of different treatment methods from soft tissue release, joint articulation, and adjustment, as well as exercise-based rehabilitation. She believes in using a holistic and individualised approach to each patient. Each treatment is therefore customised to the patient’s individual needs, with the aim to reduce pain, remove barriers to recovery and educate patients to promote a greater recovery and reduce the chances of reoccurrence.

She is passionate about providing the best patient care and optimal management to allow the best possible outcome for each patient. Johanna is fluent in French. She has worked with numerous performers including supporting Strictly Come Dancing.

Jonathan Falcone is a qualified psychotherapist with a Masters Degree (MSc) in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy, a Clinical Diploma (Cl Dip) in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy. He is certified by the European Association of Transactional Analysis (EATA) and has a certificate of accreditation in the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) endorsed ‘couples therapy for depression (CTFD)’ programme at the Tavistock Institute. Jonathan is registered as a Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP), the International Association of Relational Transactional Analysis (IARTA) and the European Association of Transactional Analysis (EATA).

Jonathan has an interest in relational therapy techniques and couples work and, as a former professional musician, understands the pressures of performance, judgement and balancing creativity with financial stability. "I believe these types of pressures affect everyone, not just musicians or artists and, accordingly, I like looking creatively at our life situations and using the power of imagination to help us move toward the places we want to inhabit".

Jonathan supports musicians and people in the creative industries to explore themselves and either manage difficult experiences, feelings and behaviours, such as anxiety, depression, stress, uncertainty, inner conflict or other areas of emotional challenge. He also helps creative clients to thrive and gain more for themselves, to support them to trust their instincts more, and feel less inhibited in expressing their wants and needs.

Mr Joseph Manjaly is an ENT surgeon with a specialisation in ears and hearing with experience in working with all types of performing artists with a need for good hearing & ear health. He can help with various issues including tinnitus, cochlear implants, hearing loss, blocked ears, ear infections, deafness, ear wax build-up, glue ear, otitis media, otorrhoea, otalgia, dizziness, vertigo, eustachian tube dysfunction, perforated eardrum, eardrum retraction, otosclerosis, tympanic membrane retraction, cholesteatoma, Meniere’s disease, vestibular neuronitis, labyrinthitis 

Joseph offers ear microsuction, intratympanic steroid injection, tympanoplasty, ossiculoplasty, stapedectomy, bone anchored hearing aid insertion, myringotomy, grommet insertion, bone conduction implants, middle ear implants, tympanomastoidectomy, blind sac closure, canalplasty, meatoplasty, mastoid cavity obliteration. 

I am an Osteopath inspired by the voice and experienced helping professional voice users overcome issues related to misuse and injuries. As an Osteopath with nearly thirty years of experience, as well as being a trained opera singer, I have the skill, insight and understanding to help performing artists including singers, actors and dancers. I can help with voice problems including hoarseness, loss of vocal range, vocal fatigue and muscle tension dysphonia. I am experienced with shoulder issues as well as more typical issues such as back and neck pain, knee injuries, foot injuries, ACL injuries, mobility issues that osteopaths are trained to treat. I also have special interests in hypermobility and in hip impingement issues (cam and pincer) and have worked in facilitating diagnosis of labral tears and rehabilitating patients post operatively following hip arthroscopy intervention. Labral tears are often missed, especially in the hypermobile population, who may be more likely to experience impingement due to their increased range of movement, especially if they are dancers or acrobats and routinely flex their hip joints to the extreme.

Kasia Marzyńska is a psychotherapist experienced helping a wide range of performing artists having worked for five years at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Kasia specialises in EMDR and trauma therapy and offers mindfulness based cognitive therapy.

She works with a wide range of psychological problems including: depression, anxiety, Stage fright, low self-esteem & low confidence, sexual identity and diversity, loss & bereavement, stress, bullying, racism, relationship difficulties, abuse, trauma, intergenerational trauma, PTSD and CPTSD, childhood adverse experience and neglect, anger, shame, disordered eating, chronic illness, phobias and OCD, life transitions and isolation.

Kasia offers counselling and psychotherapy short and long term; Gestalt Psychotherapy, EMDR & Trauma Therapy, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy.

Kasia speaks English, Polish and Italian.

Katerina can help artists and performance professionals with concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, identity, relationship difficulties, job loss/redundancy, trauma, loss/bereavement, chronic illness, suicidal ideation, self-harm, eating disorders. She is of Greek Cypriot heritage, and sensitive to cultural difference.

Katerina is a UKCP registered psychotherapist and group therapist, as well as an MBACP accredited counsellor and psychotherapist and group facilitator, working with adults aged 18+ in a GP surgery, private practice and through the Music Minds Matter scheme. She is the author of ‘How to Understand and Deal with Stress’ and ‘Your Mind Matters: How to Talk About Your Mental Health’.

She has worked as an honorary psychotherapist at Barnet, Enfield and Haringey NHS Mental Health Trust, and previously as a university counsellor and a specialist mental health mentor.

Prior to training as a therapist, Katerina was a Samaritans helpline listener for four years, and also worked for Samaritans full time during the Men on the Ropes research campaign into male suicide. She was also a trained life coach for Mind in Haringey supporting vulnerable young-adult care leavers, and a volunteer for ChildLine's schools service delivering assemblies and workshops to primary school children on abuse and neglect.

Alongside therapy, Katerina is a freelance writer and sub-editor for magazines and national press. She is attuned to the issues that creative and journalistic professions can bring up, and routinely combines her counselling and journalistic work raising awareness of mental health in the national press, media, radio and podcasts.

Katerina is the founder, producer and host of the music and mental health podcast Sound Affects Podcast, where she explores all crossovers of music and mental health via a series of interviews with high profile musicians, therapists, academics, key figures and experts in the field.

Katy Chambers is a highly experienced Physiotherapist with a holistic approach to working with performing arts professionals. Katy supports clients with a broad range of conditions, working with performers, elite athletes and the general population. Katy's areas of specialism include hypermobility spectrum conditions, temperomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, cervicogenic headaches and biomechanical analysis for dance, physical performance, sporting and day to day activities.

With a focus on pain management, reduction of dysfunction and optimising of performance, physiotherapy treatment may include:

Manual Therapy
Acupuncture
Tailored Exercise Prescription
Postural Re-education

Katy has worked with many performing artists and is a specialist within the field. She works with Trinity Laban Conservatoire - as part of the National Institute for Dance Medicine and Science - and is involved in injury screening and support for further industry developments. She is also listed on the One Dance UK directory, is a member of IADMS and presents regularly at performing arts medicine conferences, including IADMS, ISPS and PAMA.

Keith Cooper worked (and continues to do so) as an artist manager & music publisher for over 30 years before qualifying as a psychotherapist. He supports clients in the creative industries including artists, DJs, managers, actors, writers and performers with concerns including performance anxiety, creative block, inter band relationships, professional and creative direction, issues of fame, money, success, touring, burn out, creative-commercial tension, commercialisation/commodification. He is an integrative therapist, primarily drawing on psychodynamic, humanistic & existential modalities.

Kirk Nelson is an experienced accredited Integrative Counsellor & Supervisor offering short term focused therapy and long term focused therapy. "Being an integrative counsellor means that I am able to draw on knowledge and skills from various counselling approaches based on your individual circumstances in order to provide the most effective and personalised therapy for your needs."

Kirk can help with issues relating to Abuse, Addiction, Affairs & Betrayal, Anger Management, Anxiety, Assertiveness, Bereavement, Bullying, Cancer, Career, Childhood related issues, Depression, Disabilities, Discrimination, Domestic Violence, Emotional Abuse, Family, Feeling Sad, Gender Dysphoria, Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Health Issues, Interpersonal issues, Loneliness, Low self-confidence, Low self-esteem, Miscarriage, Panic disorder, Passive aggressive behaviour, Personal Development, Physical abuse, Recreational drug use, Relationship Problems, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Self-Harm, Separation & Divorce, Sex, Sexuality, Stress, Trauma, Unhappiness, Work related issues.

Krystina Stanway is a highly specialist Speech and Language Therapist who works within the performing arts sector providing vocal coaching and acting classes, with a particular interest in supporting good vocal hygiene, vocal projection and vocal protection. She offers a combination of vocal coaching alongside clinical techniques to provide a unique and engaging form of therapy. Krystina also has extensive experience in working with the NHS. Krystina's interest in singers and actors has seen her support performers in the West End in vocal performance and health.

Krystina is experienced at the assessment and intervention of voice disorders, prevention of voice disorders / vocal health care and projection support.

Krystina is part of the 'More than Speech Therapy' team and works primarily within North West England (including Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire); however, with improvements to accessing digital and video appointments they can now offer online services UK wide.

Leanne O'Brien is a Specialist Women's and Men's Health Physiotherapist with experience in treating a wide range of pelvic floor issues and musculoskletelal pain (including pregnancy and post-natal rehab, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction and post-operative rehab). She has over 13 years experience, and has worked in both the NHS and privately, including work in a gait lab, rehabilitating runners and athletes back to sport.

Leanne works closely with dancers, musical theatre and actors. Having studied ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz and street dance, Leanne has great insight into the demands that dance places on the body.  This background has allowed her to rehab dancers back to full fitness following injury, surgery or pregnancy.  She offers acupuncture, pelvic floor re-education (kegel exercises, real-time ultrasound, biofeedback and muscle stimulation), pelvic floor manual therapy, a return to sport or performing arts postnatally, massage (including scar massage), and reformer pilates training (including pregnancy and postnatal). One of Leanne's specialist interests is the relationship between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor, which is a key area to address in brass players, including throughout pregnancy and into the postnatal period. She also gives hernia advice pre and post operatively, to patients (both men and women) who've had repairs or are trying to treat their issue conservatively.

"My passion for Women’s and Men’s health started when I realised that my female athletes needed a more in-depth level of care. My passion has spiraled from there and I’ve worked as a specialist physiotherapist in both the NHS and private practice. I’m incredibly passionate about returning people back to activity and enabling them to achieve their goals".

Linda Dixon is an experienced Pilates teacher, teacher trainer, RAD ballet teacher, former professional dancer and examiner. She has over three decades of experience of movement practice; performing, teaching and examining all over the world. She has been practicing Pilates since the mid 80’s and teaching it since 2002. During this time she has developed her teaching methods producing her own unique approach to movement teaching. This approach incorporates the knowledge skills she has accumulated through a lifetime of structured movement practice. Linda teaches at NRG Pilates, and heads up the treatment and performance enhancement department at ‘The Urdang’ in City University of London’s Department of Performing Arts.

Additionally, Linda is a member of the teacher training team for Body Control Pilates specialising in teaching on the studio equipment courses and the level 4 Pilates courses. She has also played an integral part in course development at Body Control, writing their “Adolescent’s Course” and co writing their “Dancer’s Course” with her husband Nathan Gardner.

Linda is experienced in working with dancers and musical theatre performers.

Logan Lefler is a specialist performing arts physiotherapist and the Clinic Manager at NEUROTOUR London. He is experienced providing physiotherapy support for Broadway, West End and touring productions and performers. He has worked with musical theatre performers, musicians on tour, ballet dancers, orchestral musicians and vocalists. Conditions treated include vocal strain, low back pain, disc herniation, sacroiliac dysfunction, joint impingement, neurological disorders, post-operation rehabilitation, ligament tears, strains, pains and tension. He has provided backstage physiotherapy care and worked on injury prevention measures, considering factors such as raked stages, heavy costumes, props, demanding choreography and vocal demands. He is a trained Mental Health First Aider.

Lucinda Drayton is a BACP accredited Integrative Counsellor helping clients with issues including performance anxiety, low self esteem, fear-based issues, grief, anxiety and depression, gender issues, and relationship breakdown and/or challenges. Lucinda provides psychotherapy and psychoeducation, deep relaxation techniques, mindfulness meditation and emotional freedom work (tapping, similar to EFT).

Lucinda is also a singer-songwriter. "I understand the particular challenges faced by those in the performing arts. The insecurity of work, the audition process, dealing with rejection and the stresses of performing. It requires a particular kind of resilience to be able to cope with life as a performer".

Lydia Flock (she/her) is a massage therapist, vocal coach, and published researcher. She was endorsed for the prestigious Global Talent Visa (under Exceptional Promise Criteria) by Arts Council England. She has published research in the peer-reviewed academic journals Voice and Speech Review and the Journal of Singing (in press). Her latest research is titled 'Developing a Vocal Manual Therapy Intervention for the Treatment of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Professional Voice Users: A Pilot Study of Two Elite Singers'. ​

She holds an MA in Music Theatre from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and a BA in Drama from the University of Virginia (with honours). She also trained at Ithaca College’s BFA Musical Theatre programme. Lydia qualified as a Holistic & Deep Tissue massage therapist with Jing Advanced Massage Training and specialises in Vocal Massage & Laryngeal Manipulation. She is the founder of her private voice coaching company, Flockstars Coaching and works as a vocal massage therapist at the Voice Care Centre in London. Lydia highly values continued professional development and is in the process of completing her Certificate in Advanced Clinical Massage with Jing Advanced Massage Training (exp. 2022).

Lydia works with vocalists, actors, singers, speakers, and patients with any musculoskeletal voice-related issues, such as globus pharyngeus or a sense of a ‘lump’ in the throat, freeing up belt voice quality, muscle tension dysphonia, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms, loss of range or smooth transitions between vocal registers, difficulty swallowing or swallowing disorders, jaw and tongue root tension (including TMJ), vocal tiredness or fatigue. Lydia also offers assessments in manual therapy, myofascial release, advanced stretching techniques, laryngeal manipulation and self-care exercises.

Lynn Marie Boudreau is an integrative psychotherapist and hypnotherapist who previously trained as an opera singer and sang professionally for 14 years, including with the Welsh National Opera. As a therapist, Lynn uses a variety of techniques to provide a holistic approach that suits the client and their needs. She helps clients with issues relating to mental health such as anxiety, depression, fear, trauma and difficult emotions. She can help with self-doubt and physiological symptoms that prevent artists from experiencing optimal performance. She can also help with lifestyle and wellbeing - such as weight management, sleep issues and unwanted habits - and with personal development such as motivation, identity and building a successful mindset. Lynn uses Hypno-psychotherapy (combining hypnosis and psychotherapy) to address internal conflict and trauma. She also provides coaching and teaches skill-based approaches to overcome challenges and achieve goals.

I have an integrative approach and combine different methods in a way to suit you best. First, we work on building awareness of which negative emotions and beliefs are keeping you stuck in a cycle of unhelpful patterns. Second, we work to dislodge the old patterns, settle internal conflicts and process the negative emotions. Third, you create new ways to think, feel and respond to new experiences, without the past baggage, all while building your confidence, strengths and resources to move forward.

Maria Lawford is a Psychodynamic counsellor with personal experience as an actor and working in theatre. She went on to train in Psychodynamic Counselling, Psychoanalytic Studies and trauma focused CBT, gaining considerable experience in the NHS supporting clients with acute and physical conditions. She now helps clients including professionals and students in the performing arts manage and overcome concerns such as:

Performance anxiety, low self esteem and managing stress, anxiety and panic
Relationship problems - at work and home - living away from home, beginning relationships with new teams, rivalry and power dynamics
Trauma, bullying and intimidation, abuse - historic and current
Financial issues and unemployment - anxiety around finding work
Separation and loss (including support for touring professionals),
Bereavement
Accident and illness
Addictive behaviours

Maria uses a flexible therapeutic approach, tailored to each individual, combining elements of Psychodynamic counselling; CBT/behavioural techniques; trauma focused work; person-centered and relational, solution focused therapy. She can provide long and short term therapy in person or by video and telephone.

Maria has experience in working with and alongside a broad range of people in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, faiths, sexual orientation, disability, education and national origin. She respects and appreciates diversity and the positive value this gives to the places of work and in society.

Martin Handy is a pluralistic therapist/counsellor integrating CBT, psychodynamic and person-centred therapy. Martin has studied compassion-focused therapy, mindfulness-based CBT, DBT, depth psychology, and working with personality disorders. He is an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society and registrant member of The National Hypnotherapy Society. Martin is a tutor at Chrysalis Courses for Diplomas in Hypnotherapy and Counselling.

Martin can help with issues relating to depression, relationships, life transition, life direction, sexuality, gender, anxiety, organisation and management, personality disorders, bipolar, OCD, addictions, trauma, and complex grief.

Martin works with performers "because I am a musician myself and understand the anxieties and stresses of public performance. I also used to be Head of Music in primary schools when I used to be a teacher and understand the stresses and issues related to performance nerves, self-criticism and critical reviews of one's work. I also like working with creative individuals and how it can be a positive resource in therapy".

Mary Monro is an Osteopath registered with the General Osteopathic Council with over twenty years experience in treating musicians, actors and crew with all sorts of health problems. "I use gentle, hands-on techniques, including cranial osteopathy to help you achieve better health". 

Mary offers osteopathy, cranial osteopathy, vocal osteopathy and paediatric osteopathy, and she can help with issues relating to difficulties or limitations with the voice e.g. jaw, sinuses, palate, neck, diaphragm issues, physical aches and pains related to performance and anxiety and stress related issues.

Melanie Beer is an experienced Dramatherapist, working with adults, young people and children on a one-to-one basis. She is a founding member of a playback theatre company, The Golden Thread, and has been performing interactive improvisational theatre with the company for ten years. Melanie's therapeutic approach combines working with body, imagination and verbal reflection.

"I find that this combination is accessible to people with a wide range of needs and from varying backgrounds. I aim to offer a safe place for exploration, led by your individual needs and supported by the relationship that we build together".

Through drama and movement therapy, Melanie helps with a wide range of problems including complex health needs, relational difficulties, loss and bereavement, anxiety and depression, neurodiversity and trauma.

Melanie is also a clinical supervisor and educator and has developed and delivered a variety of creative training workshops for health practitioners, and mental health projects with a range of organisations.

Michael Cousin is an Art Psychotherapist and EMDR Therapist whose focus is on working with those who have experienced multiple traumatic events or have diagnosed disorders, mainly Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Schizoaffective Disorder and Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

Prior to his training, Michael was a contemporary artist and curator with over 20 years of experience of national and international exhibitions. He has a BA (Hons) and Master’s Degree in Fine Art and a Master’s Degree in Art Psychotherapy (2016).

Michael is experienced in working with actors. "As a self-employed creative myself I understand the professional difficulties that presents, and also the emotional strain this can create which can in turn exacerbate underlying mental health conditions or traumatic experiences".