Current research

Sarah's research the use of music in healthcare and education, contributing to the wealth of research recognising the profound value and benefit to individuals across the population. At Southampton this has involved cross-discipline research with the School of Medicine, the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) and the University of Southampton Auditory Implant Service (USAIS).

Sarah is a member of Southampton’s Music Focus Group, and have undertaken two AHRC funded research projects to create a rehabilitation programme that helps adult cochlear implant users benefit therapeutically from re-engagement with music. Two participatory-design projects have resulted in an online interactive music awareness programme, the IMAP, and a Good Practice Guide for specialist therapists.

Research within her clinical field includes a unique, longitudinal scoping project of music therapy in children’s hospices across the UK. The initial findings of this joint work with Professor Leslie Bunt can be found in ‘Music Therapy in children’s hospices: an evaluative survey of provision’. Recent findings have been published in a chapter she has written within ‘Music Therapy in Children and Young People’s Palliative Care’. Following on from this preliminary research, she has developed a bespoke outcome measure for music therapy in a paediatric palliative care setting.

Sarah's music therapy development work abroad has involved collaboration with Speech and Language therapist Deborah Green, creating an approach named ‘Commusicating’, which draws on the principles of music therapy, and speech and language therapy. Speech and Language therapy assessment tools to appraise the development of communication skills within music therapy.The British Ambassador in Moldova and UK House of Commons have held receptions recognising this approach now embedded in six regions across Moldova.  

Sarah leads the music therapy curriculum in our Music programme at Southampton. This offers our students the opportunity to sample music therapy for the first time, or, for those interested in this career choice, to direct their studies towards developing the skills and experience needed for postgraduate study. Sarah is passionate about teaching students about real-life music therapy as well as the theory, therefore she is a lecturer, music therapy clinician and researcher, able to share cutting-edge research and everyday examples from her practice.

Within our undergraduate programme Sarah teaches Music Therapy: Fundamentals, a second year module introducing the discipline of music therapy and community music. A third year module, Music Therapy: Beneath the Surface, is available to students wishing to deepen their understanding and to undertake practical placements at local centres and with special partners in the south of England. These modules and further research project opportunities engage the students in topical questions about the use of the arts within healthcare both nationally and internationally, the complexity of clinical work and the undeniable impact in education, healthcare and communities.

Sarah's practice and pedagogy is recognised internationally, influencing educational strategy in Moldova. She leads clinical thinking in a long-term steering group introducing the use of therapeutic music in Eastern Europe, assisting in the de-institutionalisation of existing social care systems for children (such as orphanages), and supporting and educating non-governmental organisations in the development of programmes of care for children with multiple disabilities. 

Sarah is a graduate of Southampton, and went on to study music therapy in New York and at the Berklee College of Music, Boston under the tutelage of Dr Louise Montello. Sarah completed her professional postgraduate music therapy training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and furthered her studies completing a Masters at the University of the West of England.

Sarah is a clinical lead at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, a two-site hospice service supporting 700 families in London boroughs and across Surrey. She heads a multi-disciplinary family support service and perform psychotherapeutic work with children who have life-limiting illnesses, post-bereavement therapy, and family and therapeutic group work. Sarah leads a multi-professional team of therapists, social workers and family support workers who provide holistic, family-centred paediatric palliative care. Sarah's work and case studies have been at the forefront of repeated campaigns raising awareness and funding for children’s hospice care.