What we play is life.
Music therapy, psychotherapy and sound work in Bristol and the South West, led by Stephen Gallini.
Come into the room
01
The room
Who we are
Music & Sound Therapy is a team of certified music therapists and psychotherapists working in Bristol and across the South West. We are led by Stephen Gallini, an HCPC-registered music therapist and psychotherapist.
Our approach is holistic, person-centred, humanistic and non-judgemental. We work closely with families and carers, and with nurses, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, support workers and other healthcare specialists.
Clients come at any age and with any ability. No musical skill is needed — only a willingness to sit in the room for a while.
“Music is part of being human.”
Their own line, and the reason this page has a sound to it: what we play is life.
- Rating
- 5.0 from 16 Google reviews
- Registration
- HCPC registered music therapist and psychotherapist
- Where
- Bristol and the South West
02
The ensemble
Four therapists
Led by Stephen Gallini. A team of certified therapists with national and international experience.
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01
Stephen Gallini
Founder · music therapist and psychotherapist
Grew up near Venice. Multi-instrumentalist — flute, piano, guitar, sax.
- HCPC-registered Music Therapist
- MSc Clinical Psychology
- MSc Psychology of Pathological Addictions
- MSc Psychology: Methods and Techniques for Disability Support
- Neurologic Music Therapist certification, 2021
- BSc Nursing Science
- Training in CBT, MBCT, ABA, GIM, DBT, ACT and metacognitive therapy
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02
Dr James Robertson
Music therapist · thirty years
Composer and choral conductor.
- Music therapist for over 30 years
- HCPC registered
- Supervision and Consultation Register, British Association for Music Therapy
- Work in perinatal depression and autism, forensic psychiatry, palliative care, adult learning disability, adult mental health
- Programme Leader, MSc Music Therapy (Nordoff Robbins), Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, until 2013
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03
Matthew Lewis
Music therapist · jazz and improvised music
Programmes electronic music.
- Over a decade working with older people and autistic people
- BSc Music Performance, Kingston
- MSc Music Therapy, UWE
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04
Roberto Bellavigna
Music therapist · piano and multi-instrumentalist
Studied music therapy at the C.E.P. of Assisi.
- Graduated in piano
- Multi-instrumentalist — accordion, trumpet
- National piano competition winner
- Artistic organiser, Festival dell’Opera e dell’Operetta, Parma
- Work in dementia, learning disability, autism and school projects
Also on the team: Margarita Partali, design, and Edip Celebioglu, IT.
03
What happens
Sessions and services
Six ways in. The root is the same — a person, an instrument, and time — but it arrives in a different shape depending on who is in the room.
- 01 Music therapy sessions one to one, or with a family or group
- 02 Psychotherapy and counselling talking work with a psychotherapist
- 03 Sound healing and meditation listening, sound and stillness
- 04 Educational services for schools and other settings
- 05 Online sessions the same work, over a screen
- 06 Referrals for professionals who refer
Clients of any age and ability are welcome, regardless of musical skill. Professionals can refer someone directly, and families can get in touch themselves.
04
Who we work with
Clients, families, referrers
Any age, any ability
Children, young people and adults, including people living with dementia, learning disability, autism or mental health difficulties. The team’s published work also covers palliative care, forensic psychiatry, perinatal depression and school projects.
Families and carers
We work closely with the people around the client — parents, partners and carers — as part of the same room.
Referrers
Nurses, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, support workers and other healthcare specialists can refer someone directly.
“Stephen has amazing skills, he has worked with my daughter for many months and we can see incredible things happening. He’s very creative with his techniques, his work is geared toward neurological, emotional and social development. His friendly personality and sincere dedication to his work make him unique as a therapist.”
“Stephen has been working with our John for several months now and music therapy is enriching our lives and enhancing John’s creativity! Stephen’s sensitivity, encouragement, professional skills and sincere dedication are one of a kind. I strongly recommend him!”
05
Money
Fees and insurance
Fees on enquiry
the first consultation is free of charge.
No price list is published. Get in touch and ask what a session costs; you will be told plainly.
- Health insurance
- Vitality and WPA plans are accepted. Please check with your provider first.
- Referrals
- Professionals can refer a client directly. Families can call or write without a referral.
- Consultation
- The first consultation carries no charge.
06
Find us
Muller Avenue, Bristol
The phone is not staffed 24/7 — leave a message.
Online sessions are available, so you do not have to be in Bristol.
Playing — 06 · Find us
“What we play is life.”