Jane Brackley, PhD
Cambridge,CAM
Summary
A highly skilled music therapist with 20 years clinical experience. Specialised in working alongside vulnerable children and young people with complex needs within special and mainstream education and alternative educational provisions. Passionate approach to working with children and young people towards their improved mental, emotional, social wellbeing, better prospects and recovery from adverse experiences and trauma. Collaborative team worker within NHS multi-disciplinary integrated health/social care teams in role as music therapist with adults and adolescents with learning disabilities and dual diagnosis. Experienced clinical supervisor to music therapy trainees and qualified therapists and piano teacher offering therapeutic teaching, coaching and accompaniment. Recently completed PhD research, ‘Investigating Music Therapy and Identity Formation in Adolescents with Adverse Childhood Experiences and Related Trauma in an Education Setting: a Mixed Methods Study', through Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work history
Music Therapist
Freelance
, Cambridgeshire
2022.09 - Current
- Working as a music therapist in mainstream secondary education incorporating postgraduate clinical research on music therapy and identity formation in teenage students with a history of adverse childhood experiences: 1:1 music therapy, pre-and-post therapy evaluation of change, and student interviews. Findings evidenced the positive role of music therapy in promoting 'healthy' adolescent identity formation. Post-research ongoing music therapy and advocacy for pupils' trauma-informed care within the setting.
Music Therapist
Music Therapy Bedfordshire
2022.05 - 2024.03
- Worked as Music Therapist on 2-year Music Therapy Pilot Project in conjunction with Central Bedfordshire Council. Provided individual music therapy to struggling pupils in mainstream primary schools in North Bedfordshire. Assessed service provision with pupils, parents, and teachers, and compiled end-of-project Phase 1 and 2 reports that included pupil case studies. Led to successful ongoing provision of music therapy in mainstream primary schools in North Bedfordshire.
Music Therapist
Oracle Care & Education Ltd/Esland Care
2018.01 - 2022.07
- Collaborated with clinicians, parents/carers, teaching/care staff, and social workers as a freelance music therapist providing individualised support on an alternative education provision for young people with complex needs, some of whom were placed in residential.
Senior Therapist
TBAP Multi-Academy Trust
2017.01 - 2018.01
- Worked as a music therapist with young people at Cambridge Alternative Provision, managing and supervising 3 regional arts and integrative therapists.
Music Therapist
Cambs & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
2003.01 - 2014.01
- Worked as Music Therapist with adults with learning disabilities and dual diagnosis; supervised Music Therapy trainees and staff; participated in multi-disciplinary team meetings; liaised with family members, carers and professionals; provided concise clinical assessment and review reports; role in service evaluation; undertook CPD.
Music Therapist
Bedfordshire County Council
2005.01 - 2011.01
- Established music therapy with children and young people on Lower and Upper School early intervention Behaviour Support Programmes at Pupil Referral Units; supported teaching staff; provided child and guardian/child sessions at Child Development Centre; liaised closely with parents and family members; conducted interviews as a panel member; gave presentations to teaching staff.
Music Therapist
Hertfordshire County Council
2003.01 - 2005.01
- Provided 1:1 music therapy with pupils at a special school; established child and parent group music therapy sessions for children with autism followed by parent support sessions; completed record-keeping and clinical evaluation tools; Contributed to school staff meetings, clinical team discussions, and CPD sessions.
Music Therapist
Colchester NHS PCT
2003.01 - 2005.01
- Conducted music therapy sessions with adults and adolescents with learning disabilities and dual diagnosis within an integrated health and social care team; maintained accurate records and completed clinical assessment and review reports; co-facilitated staff and carer workshops; participated in arts therapies meetings; co-conducted interviews.
Education
PG Diploma - Music Therapy
Anglia Ruskin University
CambridgePGCE - Secondary Music & Instrumental Teaching
Institute of Education
LondonPG Cert - Piano Accompaniment
Trinity College of Music
LondonB.A. (Hons) - Music
Colchester Institute School of Music
ColchesterDoctor of Philosophy - Music therapy
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire 04/2019 - 06/2026
An Introduction to Child & Adolescent Counselling
Cambridge University Faculty of Education
M. A. Music Therapy -
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge, CambridgeshireSkills
- Organisational and analytical skills
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Self-motivated
- Good time management
- Highly experienced in autonomous case management
- Collaborative team member
- Noted sensitive communication with families, staff and professionals
- Recognised personal and professional integrity
- Empathic and thoughtful
- Person-centred, creative and flexible clinical approach
- Committed to continuous personal and professional development
- Trauma-informed therapeutic approach
- Passionate advocate for vulnerable children and young people
Affiliations
- HCPC Registration no: AS02266
- BAMT Membership no: 9626
Publications
- Book review of 'Creating Music Cultures in the Schools: A Perspective from Community Music Therapy' for 'Approaches: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Music Therapy' (2018)
- 'Music Therapy and the Expression of Anger and Aggression: Working with Aggressive Behaviour in Children aged Five to Nine who Risk Mainstream School Exclusion' in 'Music Therapy in Schools' (2011)
Training
- Safeguarding Children Level 4, BAMT, 2025
- Inside the Teenage Brain, ACAMH, 2025
- Methodology, Theory & Research Design Frames, University of London, 2024
- The Body Keeps the Score: Healing Trauma through Somatics, The Embody Lab, 2024
- Trauma Informed Practice in Safeguarding, ACAMH, 2023
- Inequality, Child Trauma and Therapy, The Cambridge Commons, 2021
- Support Young People to Break the Cycle of Self-Harm, Creative Education, 2020
- Making Therapy Digital Training, Chiltern Music Therapy, 2020
- Impacting Music Therapy Through Research, ARU Cambridge, 2018
- Music, Diversity and Wholeness, BAMT Conference, 2018
- Sexually Harmful Behaviours, TBAP Multi-Academy Trust, 2017
Presentations
Presented at Cambridge Institute of Music Therapy PhD day June 2026. Due to present at the World Congress of Music Therapy, July 2026.
Timeline
Music Therapist
Freelance
2022.09 - Current
Music Therapist
Music Therapy Bedfordshire
2022.05 - 2024.03
Music Therapist
Oracle Care & Education Ltd/Esland Care
2018.01 - 2022.07
Senior Therapist
TBAP Multi-Academy Trust
2017.01 - 2018.01
Music Therapist
Bedfordshire County Council
2005.01 - 2011.01
Music Therapist
Cambs & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
2003.01 - 2014.01
Music Therapist
Hertfordshire County Council
2003.01 - 2005.01
Music Therapist
Colchester NHS PCT
2003.01 - 2005.01
PG Diploma - Music Therapy
Anglia Ruskin University
PGCE - Secondary Music & Instrumental Teaching
Institute of Education
PG Cert - Piano Accompaniment
Trinity College of Music
Doctor of Philosophy - Music therapy
Anglia Ruskin University
04/2019 - 06/2026
B.A. (Hons) - Music
Colchester Institute School of Music
An Introduction to Child & Adolescent Counselling
Cambridge University Faculty of Education
M. A. Music Therapy -
Anglia Ruskin University