Caley Garden
MMus – Music Therapy (UP); BMus (UCT)
My work is rooted in music’s ability to connect us to the healthy and able parts of ourselves. Since childhood, I’ve understood music as an emotional container and an expression of who I am in the world. From early on, I knew I wanted to use music to help others in the way it helped me. This passion led me to study violin performance at the University of Cape Town, and later to complete my Master’s degree in Music Therapy (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria in 2017.
I have nearly nine years of experience in private practice, working with individuals of all ages, and a special passion for working with children. As the former Music Therapy Programme Coordinator for the NGO MusicWorks, I worked with children affected by trauma and violence, as well as those with developmental delays, attachment difficulties, and physical and intellectual disabilities.
I have extensive experience supporting children on the autism spectrum, having worked at Alpha School in Cape Town and currently at CARE in Johannesburg. My approach is child-centred, positive, and playful, focusing on strengths, emotional expression, sensory regulation, communication, and social connection through music.
I value working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and believe a holistic approach is essential for each child’s growth. I work with people of all ages, starting from as young as six months old, and have a special interest in working with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD, developmental delays, attachment difficulties, anxiety, congenital syndromes, trauma, and life transitions.
