> Resources > BAMT Publications > Journal

The British Journal of Music Therapy

Published twice a year, the British Journal of Music Therapy is a peer-reviewed journal for music therapists and other professionals interested in all aspects of music therapy.

The BJMT publishes original articles or essays that have direct relevance to the field of music therapy. The Editors will consider full-length articles for publication but also shorter less formal contributions such as essays, case studies and responses to articles. Prospective contributors are always welcome to contact the Editorial Team in order to discuss their ideas.

We also welcome reviews of published material (1,500-3,500 words) such as books, CDs and videos. Prospective book reviewers should contact the Editorial Team describing their areas of expertise and interest.

The back inside cover of the journal contains details for authors considering submitting an article. These are also included on this webpage as a PDF. Authors may also contact the Editors directly at BJMTEds@bamt.org

 

Editors of British Journal of Music Therapy

Tessa Watson
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.

 
Dr Alison Barrington

Alison Barrington qualified from Roehampton in 1991 and has worked in a number of different clinical settings including schools and day centres with young people and adults with learning disabilities and in palliative care settings with patients and their families coping with end of life and bereavement issues.

Alison was a senior lecturer on the MA Music Therapy course at Guildhall School of Music and Drama from 2005-2015. She has also been an external examiner for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre and Anglia Ruskin University and she has examined PhD work from Anglia Ruskin University and Queen Mary University of London.

Alison’s research interests have focused on the development of the profession in the UK. Her PhD, entitled ‘Music Therapy: A Study in Professionalisation’ was completed in 2005. She has given guest lectures and workshop presentations in the UK and the USA and published articles throughout her career.

She has been an editor for the BJMT since 2014. She currently lives in Chicago where she is primarily working with pre-school children.

Emma Millard

Emma qualified as a music therapist in 2017 and went straight into a research role at the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, Queen Mary University of London. There she completed a PhD on the role of 'Patient Preferences for the Arts Therapies', sponsoredby East London NHS Foundation Trust.

Emma started as an editor for the BJMT in January 2021 and also now works in a variety of clinical roles; in adult acute psychiatry, older adult inpatient care and a children's bereavement and trauma service. She is particularly interested in mixed-methods research that involve coproduction.

Emma is also a member of the London Philharmonic Choir and performs with them regularly.

 

 
Donald Wetherick
Donald Wetherick is a music therapist, trainer and researcher. He studied music at Edinburgh and Cambridge universities and music therapy at the Nordoff Robbins Centre in London. He currently works for the NHS and is Deputy Head of Music Therapy at the Guildhall School. His music therapy experience includes work with children, adults with learning disabilities and people affected by HIV/AIDS and he currently works in adult mental health. From 2012-2015 he was Chair of the British Association for Music Therapy. He is also a co-editor of the British Journal of Music Therapy.