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Emily Thorburn
AMTA Registered Music Therapist

A headshot of a brunette, short-haired woman holding a guitar and smiling at the camera

Emily holds a Masters in Music Therapy from Western Sydney University and has over two decades' experience performing and teaching music. Emily has worked with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly addressing mental health, physical and cognitive functioning, substance use issues, and physical and intellectual disability. Emily's approach is person-centred and strengths based, using a wide range of instruments, technologies and formats to create tailored and engaging music therapy sessions. Emily's practice centres around utilising the therapeutic elements of music to foster connection, enrich lives, and enhance overall health and functioning and support each individual's unique goals. 

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Emily has completed advanced training in Neurologic Music Therapy and is a current affiliate of the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy, membership #6382. 

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Major influences and theoretical underpinnings: 

  • Polyvagal Theory (Dr. Stephen Porges & Deb Dana) and the Safe and Sound Protocol

  • Attachment Theory (John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth, David Wallin)

  • Sociocultural Theory & Zone of Proximal Development (Vygotsky)

  • Ecological Systems Theory (Bronfenbrenner)

  • Relationship and Play-Based Therapy (Dr. Mona Delahooke)

  • Dig Deeper (Greg Santucci, OTR)

  • Self-Determination Theory (Dr. Martin Seligman)

  • Humanistic and Person-Centred Psychology (Carl Rogers)

  • Mindfulness Theory

  • Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

  • Interpersonal Neurobiology (Dr. Dan Siegel)

  • Trauma-informed Practice (Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Gabor Maté)

  • Collaborative Problem-Solving (Dr. Ross Greene)

  • Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice

  • Self-Compassion (Dr. Kristen Neff)

  • Neurologic Music Therapy (Dr. Michael Thaut)

  • Sensory Integration Theory (Dr. A. Jean Ayres)

  • Flourishing Theory (Dr. Tyler VanderWeele)

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Beyond music therapy, Emily loves spending quality time outdoors with her husband and young children. Whether in the veggie patch or pottering in the kitchen, they love the lifestyle and balance that country living in beautiful Central West New South Wales offers, and value the opportunity to contribute to their community.

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Digital Membership Card​​​​​​​​

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