Alison Barrington

«During my 30 year career as a music therapist I have been a senior lecturer and examiner for several UK MA courses and have presented at conferences both in the UK and the USA. My PhD focusses on the development of the music therapy profession which led to working on a national project for the NHS supporting the promotion of art, drama and music therapy in the UK. My clinical work has focussed on clients with learning disabilities and at end-of-life care.»

Our 60 seconds interview with Alison:

Could you please tell us what work you do in the field of mental health?

My work within the NHS has focussed on promoting art, drama and music therapy within the NHS and as part of the Psychological Professions Network. A large proportion of art, drama and music therapists work with clients with mental health issues, learning disabilities and autism. I emphasised that, whilst these interventions can include talking, they can also provide specialist therapeutic support and treatment to those who, for whatever reason, cannot verbalise their issues.

What do you find most rewarding and inspiring in this work?

It’s extremely rewarding to meet people who want to learn about and use the therapeutic value of the arts. My work in the NHS highlighted that these professionals provide specialist services in an enormous variety of clinical settings and are particularly adept at working with service users from marginalised and at-risk groups.

What is the most challenging or complicated aspect of this work?

There’s still a long way to go to persuade people to employ art, drama and music therapists.

What impact do you hope your work is having - or can potentially have?

My recent report to the NHS emphasised how art, drama and music therapists support mental health, learning disability and autism services. I hope some influential people read it! I would be delighted to see these therapies providing more services to address the use of challenging behaviour and self-harm, to relieve boredom, to promote healthy activities and to provide opportunities for staff to engage with service users in appropriate and meaningful activities.

Could you share with us one piece of advice that you follow for your own mental health?

Breathe … although, to be honest, I’m not very good at it.