EMILY THORBURN
AMTA Registered Music Therapist
Neurologic Music Therapist

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

supporting mental health, physical and cognitive functioning, substance

use issues, and physical and intellectual disability. Emily's approach is

person-centred, neurodiversity-affirming 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 mechanisms of music to support each individual's unique goals. This might occur through fostering connection, supporting overall functioning and health or using music as an effective tool to drive neuroplastic change.

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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, ​a trained facilitator of the Rhythm2Recovery model, a mental health intervention program targeted towards improving socio-emotional health through drumming and rhythm.​ Emily is a trained practitioner of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a therapeutic music-listening program designed to support social interaction and auditory sensitivities. Emily is also a certified trauma-informed coach, bringing an evidence-based, mindful and compassionate perspective to her practice and an ability to support individuals with a history of trauma.

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Major influences and theoretical underpinnings: 

• Polyvagal Theory (Dr. Stephen Porges & Deb Dana LCSW) 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 (Marsha Linehan)

• Interpersonal Neurobiology (Dr. Dan Siegel)

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

• Collaborative Problem-Solving (Dr. Ross Greene)

• Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice

• Self-Compassion (Dr. Kristen Neff, Dr. Paul Gilbert)

• 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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