Kia ora, I'm Sophie
I've spent 15 years working in disability and mental health, 8 of them as a music therapist. My passion is making music accessible to everyone, and using it for self-expression, connection and personal growth.
NZ Registered Music Therapist · AMTA registration expected January 2027 · Singer-songwriter · Sunshine Coast
What I offer
Music therapy
For children, teenagers and adults around the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane (Australia) from January 2027 and anywhere in New Zealand, from home on Zoom.
Personalised songs & home concerts
Writing songs together for life's big moments, online from anywhere or face to face in Queensland.
Professional supervision
Online supervision for music therapists, creative arts therapists, health professionals and students.
How I work
I work with adults, older adults, teens and children, in person around the Sunshine Coast and online, including people living with disability, neurological conditions and mental health challenges.
My practice is person-centred: I start from your strengths, needs and interests, and we set goals together. Sessions might include singing, songwriting, improvising, drumming, movement, listening, or recording and making beats.
Community music therapy
My practice is rooted in community music therapy: using music to build connection and belonging, not only in the therapy room but out in the community, in groups, at shared events and on stage.
This approach shapes my projects, Musicking Together and Play My Way, and was the focus of my Master's research on collaboration and community.
My background
Before training as a music therapist, I worked in community mental health support. My music therapy training included placements at a youth mental health service and a special school.
For eight years I worked as a music therapist at Evaro, a community service for adults with learning disabilities, where I started Musicking Together in 2019. I also founded Play My Way, a festival celebrating musicians with disabilities.
I studied clinical psychology in France, with training in Togo, and culture matters in my practice. I speak English and French, conversational Spanish and I'm learning te reo Māori. Outside therapy, I'm a performing musician and singer-songwriter.
Qualifications
-
Master of Music Therapy, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, 2019
-
Bachelor of Psychology, Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier, France, 2009
-
NZ Registered Music Therapist (NZRMTh) since 2019
-
AMTA registration expected January 2027
-
Trained in Supervision Skills for Health & Social Service Professionals
-
NDIS Worker Screening Check · Blue card · First Aid and CPR
My values
Partnership
Honouring te Tiriti o Waitangi
and recognising First Nations as the Traditional Custodians of the lands where I live and work in Australia.
Collaboration
Therapy shaped together, around your strengths and goals
Community
Whānau and community as a resource for wellbeing
Fun
Music that is playful, interactive and joyful.
