Ash Rowbottom (she/her)

Tell us about your career to date in the mental health sector.

I originally studied towards becoming a clinical psychologist, completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Griffith University, 2013) with Honours (University of the Sunshine Coast, 2014). However after a short break I changed my mind and completed a Master of Music Therapy instead (University of Melbourne, 2018). This was the best thing I ever did, as I could now combine my love of psychology and music in a therapeutic setting.  

As soon as I graduated, I started my private practice called ‘Kindred Music Therapy’. My focus was adolescent and adult mental health and acquired brain injury. In 2021, I started bringing on staff, and we have become a successful and respected private practice in the music therapy arena. We are an NDIS NDIS-registered provider and deliver music therapy services throughout the Meanjin/Brisbane community as a mobile practice. We see clients across the lifespan in the areas of disability, mental health and rehabilitation. It is a joy to lead this beautiful team of practitioners. 

In April 2024, I completed a Graduate Diploma of Counselling specialising in Mental Health (University of Southern Qld, 2024) to formalise my counselling skills and add counselling to our practice service delivery. 

In January 2024, I started my PhD through the University of Melbourne, focussing on music combined with AI used to support mood and behaviour in survivors of traumatic brain injuries. It is wonderful to continue my education in direct support of my private practice. My therapeutic interests remain in the area of adolescent and adult mental health and acquired brain injury. 

Since 2023, I have been Chairperson of the Qld Branch of the Australian Music Therapy Association and it continues to be an honour to lead an amazing committee of dedicated music therapists who never tire of advocating for music therapy.

Once I finish my PhD, I would love to continue contributing to research and running Kindred in the community. If the opportunity presented itself, I would ultimately love to engage in public service and contribute to policy development focussed on improving access to mental health services.

What made you choose a career in mental health?

I have always been fascinated by the human experience and the ways we interact with each other. When I finished high school I was very lost emotionally, so I saw a counsellor who ended up having a very profound impact. I wanted to pass that on to others, so I began my studies in psychology soon afterwards.

What do you find most rewarding about your current role?

The privilege of journeying alongside my clients as they navigate their mental health is the most rewarding thing. It’s being there to support them through significant life events, high times and low times, as well as the growth the comes with them getting to know themselves as a person. On top of that, it’s the sharing of music and the creativity that comes with human connection.

Ash Rowbottom

What do you find most challenging about your current role?

Although music therapy has been around since WWII, it is still not as widely-known as other allied health streams, such as occupational therapy and speech therapy, even though there is extensive evidence supporting its efficacy. The arrival of the NDIS has been very beneficial in assisting access and visibility for music therapy, but there is still a long way to go. The Australian Music Therapy Association does a fantastic job of advocating for music therapy and Registered Music Therapists in Australia.

Tell us about a day in the life of you at work. What does a typical day look like? 

A day in my life as a music therapist starts with coffee! Then I hit the road and see up to six clients in a day, driving between each one. Personally, my clients are mostly adolescents and adults addressing mental health, so their sessions can include a range of evidence-based music therapy interventions such as songwriting, drumming, lyrical analysis, making playlists, incidental counselling, instrumental improvisation, vocal psychotherapy and more. I work closely with other allied health practitioners to support each client and ensure consistency. I then come home to my partner Kassie who is also a Registered Music Therapist.

On days when I am not seeing clients, I am writing reports and casenotes, keeping up with the admin of running a business, supporting my staff members, delivering online supervision and fitting in PhD study.

What are three misconceptions you think that people have about working in the mental health sector?

1. That if you have current or past lived experience then you shouldn’t work in mental health. Lived experience is invaluable in mental health practice, and can allow you to connect with your client under the right circumstances as well as assist your understanding of the challenges in their life. 
2. That you need to know the DSM back to front before you start. Whilst it’s obviously great to have a good working knowledge, our clients can teach us SO much about their experience and we never ever stop learning. 
3. That mental health work is serious all the time. I have found that some well-placed humour does wonders for bringing humanity back into mental health care settings, which are often heavy on the clinical environments, as well as strengthening the therapeutic relationship. We are all just humans helping each other on this road!

What advice would you give to people who are interested in working in mental health?

Approach providers and ask to shadow. You can learn so much about the job and the energy requirements this way, as well as make professional connections. I would also recommend thinking about how you would like to be treated by a mental health care professional and using this to shape how you will approach your clients and colleagues in the future. Overall, I would advise anyone interested in working in mental health to keep the spirit of who you are with you. Some days can be heavy, and you’ll hear life accounts that will change you forever. But it’s the person you are who connects with others and fosters the change in the end.

What is a question we forgot to ask? What is your answer?

Therapeutic approach. I have designed my business and my practice to be specifically trauma-informed and I am so passionate about this approach to therapy, no matter the medium. We build all our interactions on the basis of emotional safety, trust, empowerment, peer support, choice and collaboration.

Do you have any other thoughts you’d like to share?

Thank you for reading.