Meet Our Team

On International Women’s Day 2022 NLMT is proud to announce two new team members joining Marianne and Priya, growing our team and expanding our outlook.

We are a group of female music therapists interested in working with mental health, as a reason for therapy on its own or when presented alongside other conditions (primarily neurorehabilitation and autism). We are based in London but we all have roots outside of the UK and direct experiences of cultures other than British, as well as being steeped in the culture of the country we call home.

We are committed as a team to accessible therapy for all. We understand first-hand the power of diverse voices and experiences in terms of background, race, gender, class, sexuality, disability and beyond. Our differing experiences inform the work we do.

Our work is so varied, with children, adolescents and adults of all ages, and their families, with mental health concerns manifesting uniquely from person to person. A culture within NLMT of curiousity and open mindedness about those we work with means we can best represent and understand those that trust us to deliver the highest quality music therapy.

Introducing:

Nicola Demosthenous

Nicola qualified as a music therapist from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and runs group music therapy in a residential setting for NLMT. She has a special interest in working with adolescents and young adults, and has a particular interest in psychodynamic theory and its application to music therapy. Her experience varies across patient groups, from patients with personality disorders to those with autism, PTSD and selective mutism. Nicola is a pianist and singer.

Marina Emmanouil

Marina qualified as a music therapist from the University of the West of England, and runs individual music therapy in NLMT’s Finchley clinic. She has experience working with children and adults with complex needs including mental health difficulties, trauma, autism and learning disabilities. Marina is a guitarist and pianist.

Nicola and Marina are joining:

Priya Vithani

Priya has been working as a music therapist for NLMT since 2019, and is the Clinical Lead for Stroke and Neurorehabilitation within NLMT. Recent projects include acting as Lead Therapist as part of a pilot scheme for UCLH, providing music therapy for patients who have experienced stroke in their homes, and acting as Lead Therapist in NLMT’s research into Online Music Therapy, funded by the Music Therapy Charity. Priya is a pianist and flautist.

Marianne Rizkallah

Marianne is NLMT’s Director, and founded NLMT in 2018. Alongside her clinical work as a music psychotherapist for NLMT, primarily working with adults with mental health issues, Marianne is the Vice Chair of the British Association for Music Therapy and wrote the national guidelines for working as a music therapist (both remotely and in-person) during COVID-19, guidelines which were adopted internationally. Marianne is a singer and percussionist.

Why NLMT?

Our team of diverse female clinicians all work within the ethos of our North London Principles, focusing on your mental health and offering as much music therapy as you feel you need. Our waiting list times are extremely short and we can be flexible, offering both in-person and online music therapy.

Want to refer yourself or someone you know for music therapy? Want music therapy for your organisation? Get in touch here.