Thank you for visiting Elemental Sound!

I’m Ali Yana Stewart, a Creative Therapist working in and around Wells, Somerset. I aim to provide an empathetic service to support you with your health and wellbeing - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

 

Everyone has their own, individual reasons for seeking therapy. Maybe you are living with a health condition, or are a carer for somebody else. Perhaps anxiety and depression are affecting your life, or you need space to recover from prolonged stress, or from trauma. You might even be looking for a method to enhance your personal or spiritual development. Whatever your reasons for choosing therapy at this time, I aim to offer a safe, non-judgmental and creative space, for you to express emotions and to explore experiences, relationships and patterns in your life, making positive changes where relevant and improving your capacity to live well. I understand that this can feel daunting to begin with, and that you need to develop trust in the relationship with your therapist for therapy to be effective. Sessions are person-centered, meaning that we go at your pace, and work in a way that is effective for you.

The main approaches I use to support clients are Music Therapy, Sound Therapy and Music and Imagery. Words can be powerful, and are usually an important part of our therapy sessions. Creative arts, including music and visual arts, can enable us to reach and express feelings that we just don’t have the words for. Using creativity alongside talking can allow us to go deeper, to gain different levels of understanding, and access unconscious material, greatly aiding the therapeutic process.

I am a qualified, HCPC registered, Music Psychotherapist and have also undertaken an extensive training in Sound Therapy. I've worked over a number of years using both of these approaches, supporting people with varied needs, including people dementia, life limiting health conditions, learning disabilities and anxiety and depression.  Most recently, I have trained in Supportive Music and Imagery therapy, an approach that supports clients to increase their inner resources, strength and coping abilities.

My approach is somatic and grounded in nature and I draw on learning from diverse trainings over the past 25 years in health psychology, energy work, meditation, movement practices and bodywork, to offer integrative support. I believe in the importance of self care, and will aim to find, together, simple ways that you can support yourself between and after therapy sessions.

Prior to working as a therapist, I have worked in Health Psychology Research, Health Coaching, Social Care and Community Development.

Please see the music therapy and sound therapy and Music and Imagery pages for more information.

Please get in touch if you would like to talk about how we could work together.

 

Training and qualifications

Music and Sound:

  • MA Music Therapy (Distinction): University of the West of England, 2016-2019
  • Certificate in Supportive Music and Imagery, The Integrative GIM Training Programme, 2025
  • Practitioner Diploma in Sound Therapy: British Academy of Sound Therapy, 2010-2012 (additional Gong Practitioner training 2012; 2017)

Psychology

  • BSc (hons) Psychology (First Class): University of  Bath, 2002-2006
  • MSc Health Psychology: University of the West of England, 2008-2009
  • Certificate in Counselling Skills, AQA, 2007

Movement and Holistic Therapies:

  • Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi Practitioner Certificate for Health Professionals: Ascentis, 2016
  • Mystical Dance Teacher Training Course, Koh Phagnan, 2013
  • Reiki Level 1 and 2, Glastonbury School of Reiki, 2001, 2002
  • Reflexology ITEC Diploma, 2008
  • Indian Head Massage VTCT Certificate, 2009

Professional Registrations

  • Music Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

I have insurance with Holistic Services Insurance.

Testimonials

'Ali is a naturally gifted and intuitive therapist. She uses her tools of sound deftly and instinctively, with focus and compassion for her client.'

'I was so deeply relaxed at the close of the session, it was bliss! Thank you Ali.'

'Working in Community Development, I have hired Ali to run multiple wellbeing events, which incorporated Tai-Chi and Sound Relaxation. I was always struck by Ali's warm and friendly demeanour and her genuine, grounded presence and excellent professionalism. I highly recommend her events'.