Tessa Watson

Trustee, International Officer, EMTC Country Representative & BJMT Editor

Tessa Watson is a music therapist and music therapy trainer with over 20 years of experience in a variety of clinical settings. She qualified from Roehampton in 1990, and is currently course Convenor of the MA in Music Therapy at University of Roehampton. Tessa’s clinical experience has been varied, including work with the elderly, in forensic mental health, and with young people and adults with learning disabilities. Her current clinical work is with adults with learning disabilities in a joint health and social services community team, where she manages a team of arts therapists and works closely with other professionals. Tessa is also an HCPC partner, and one of the Editors of the British Journal of Music Therapy.

As well as her interests in research Tessa has contributed to the development of the profession through her work with the British Association for Music Therapy (BAMT); currently she is a member of the Training and Education Committee and is International Representative for BAMT. Tessa worked on the committee of the APMT for many years and was an inaugural member of the CPD committee. For many years she led the learning disability network. Tessa enjoys writing and speaking about her work and has spoken at conferences internationally and in the UK.

The International Officer represents BAMT and the profession in the UK to the international music therapy community. The role includes responding to enquiries and correspondence from music therapists and music therapy students from around the world and involves linking closely with the European Music Therapy Council (EMTC). The responsibilities include attending the annual General Assembly of EMTC, sharing information between BAMT and EMTC, providing a report for the General Assembly and reporting to BAMT trustees. When there is an issue which requires a vote, the International Officer will liaise with the trustees and vote on behalf of BAMT.