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.

I completed a PhD in Music and Health Sciences with a collaborative specialisation in neuroscience at the Music and Health Science Research Collaboratory (MaHRC) at the University of Toronto. My research focused on investigating the use of music-based cognitive interventions with adults with major depressive disorder and suicidal ideations.

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 a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) and Music Therapist Accredited (MTA), and adheres to the Code of Conduct of the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and ethical codes of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT). I am a recognised Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT-F™) and a member of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC, UK).

Publications
Richard Williams, N., Hurt-Thaut, C., Brian, J., Tremblay, L., Pranjić, M., Teich, J., Tan, M., Kowaleski, J., Thaut, M. H. Improved motor skills in autistic children after three weeks of neurologic music therapy via telehealth: a pilot study. Frontiers in Psychology, 15 (2024). doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1355942.

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.

Tan, M., Friyia, S., Rizvi, S. J., Hurt-Thaut, C., Thaut, M.H. Music-Based Cognitive Training for Adults with Major Depressive Disorder and Suicide Risk: A Pilot Study. Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, 757 (2025). doi.org/10.3390/jcm14030757.