Ffion Aynsley:
Music Psychotherapist (HCPC)
Hello, my name is Ffion Aynsley, I am a music psychotherapist working with clients at HQ Therapy Rooms in Haggerston, Hackney, London E8.
Music therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses a combination of improvised music-making and verbal reflection as a vehicle for achieving therapeutic aims.
These can include increasing self-awareness, improving relationships, emotional release, dealing with grief and loss, healing traumas, relieving stress and anxiety, increasing confidence, and un(b)locking creativity.
I use music to facilitate communication and free expression in a non-judgemental space. I work with people of all ages who wish to explore themselves and their relation to others and the world through sound.
The therapy is primarily a non-verbal medium, based on spontaneous dialogue. This dialogue makes use of the elements of sound and music, which can include rhythm, melody, pitch, timbre, and dynamics.
However, there is certainly space for talking, where relevant and useful to the client.
These musical interactions can be a tool for revealing and understanding aspects of the self and the ways in which we relate to others. They also provide a sense of emotional release and a vehicle for expressing things that may be too difficult to put into words.
Clients are not required to have any prior musical training. However, a willingness to explore yourself in a musical context and a desire to co-create a space for (re)connecting with your own sense of musicality is what will make the therapy most fruitful.
The content and structure of a session vary from person to person and from session to session. The music is guided by the client’s emotional state, physical movements, words and sounds, which form the basis of the interactions.
The music can take many forms, from improvisation and songwriting to singing or playing known songs or pieces of music that are pertinent to you. I encourage the use of voice and provide a selection of other instruments to play including guitar, keyboard, small wind instruments, and tuned and untuned percussion.
About me
I am a music psychotherapist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and have experience working with people of all ages in a range of contexts, including nurseries, schools, NHS adult mental health teams and palliative care. Prior to training as a music therapist, I worked in arts and educational settings in the UK and Spain in both project management and performer roles for theatre companies.
I have a degree in French and Spanish and an MA in Hispanic Studies, from UCL.
As well as my private practice, I am Co-director of Whale Song music therapy, a Community Interest Company that provides music therapy services in early years settings, schools and mental health services in the borough of Waltham Forest.
I am also a singer, songwriter and musician.
I can conduct sessions in Spanish and Welsh.
How I work
Sessions last for 50 minutes and take place at the same time each week.
I offer a free 30-minute telephone or video consultation during which time you can tell me about your reasons for coming to music psychotherapy and ask me any questions.
From then on sessions are £70
***If you are interested in contacting Ffion Aynsley or need information and guidance about therapy, please use the contact form at the bottom of this page.***
