As humans we have a multitude of ways we can express ourselves, and even with all our resources we may find it difficult to communicate. I thrive on connecting with others through music as music contains similar properties to the way we operate as people including, form, rhythm, and pitch.

As a registered psychotherapist & neurologic music therapist I use music to connect and engage clients to support them in areas of need. Music is used as the medium to support growth and development, encourage creativity and expression, and a means of communicating.

I aim to support clients of all ages and abilities. Currently, I am working with clients with autism, neuro-disability & neuro-rehab, learning disabilities, early development, and dementia. In the past I have worked in a school for speech & language and communication difficulties, in the public health sector (NHS, UK) with adults with profound and multiple learning difficulties, and supported adults with mental health issues in a community music education setting.

When I am not with clients, I am working as a part-time professor with the lovely students of the Creative Arts Therapies Department at Concordia University.

My educational background includes a MA in Music Therapy from the University of Roehampton in London, UK and a BMus in Classical Piano from McGill University in Montreal. I am also an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

I am an Accredited Music Therapist (MTA) and follows the ethical codes of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT) and a member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, UK).

Publications
Sharda M, Tuerk C, Chowdhury R, Jamey K, Foster N, Custo-Blanch M, Tan M, Nadig A, Hyde K. Music improves neurobehavioural outcomes in autism. Translational Psychiatry 8, 231 (2018). doi.org/10.1038/s41398-018-0287-3.

Please note that Melissa is currently in her last year of her PhD research and only taking on virtual patients at this time (estimated until Summer 2025).