Registered Music Therapist
AMTA Registered Music Therapist, Masters of Creative Music Therapy,
Masters of Research, Bachelor of Music (violin performance) and Diploma in Primary Education
Jen Whalan is a dual-qualified Registered Music Therapist and Special Education teacher with a combined fifteen years’ experience across these disciplines. Jen has worked in health and education settings including Westmead Children’s Hospital, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre, various early intervention and adult services, and several Schools for Specific Purposes. Whilst working at a special school as a teacher in London, Jen came across the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Centre and decided to re-train as a music therapist back in Australia, completing a Masters of Creative Music Therapy at Western Sydney University.
Jen’s focus is to use music to ‘meet’ children and adults of all abilities where they are musically, socially, cognitively and emotionally, to establish a positive, respectful and interactive relationship and explore the needs of each individual client. In between raising four children and working, Jen’s interest in research has recently led to her completing a Masters of Research at Western Sydney University, where she is planning to pursue a PhD in the area of music therapy, disability studies and neurodiversity.
