Our Team

'My son has been doing neurologic music therapy sessions with Neurolinks. He really enjoys the sessions. The focus has been on music and speech and language. We are definitely seeing improvements since he started. Would highly recommend it.'
Jennifer, parent and carer of young adult living with an ABI

Dr. Shane Cassidy

Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist

Shane is the CEO and founder of Neurolinks. He is a senior music therapist with extensive experience in both health and educational settings. He is also a member of the International Academy for Neurologic Music Therapy. His clinical expertise lies primarily in the areas of neurological conditions and mental health.

Shane received his PhD from the University of Limerick in 2020, in which he evaluated the impact of specific music therapy techniques in improving both the physical rehabilitation and mood outcomes for people at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dublin, who had an acquired brain injury. Prior to this, Shane qualified from the University of Limerick with a first-class honour Master’s in Music Therapy. As part of this training, he completed clinical placements at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability in Putney, London, and the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dublin. It was in this work that he first saw the power of music in supporting people with neurological conditions in the learning and re-learning of skills across several aspects of their lives, inspiring him to pursue his PhD and to establish Neurolinks.

Shane has four years’ experience in the areas of mental health and homelessness through his work at First Fortnight Centre for Creative Therapies in Dublin. 

He is a qualified primary school teacher with experience in a variety of mainstream and special educational settings. Shane also holds a degree in Music from Trinity College, Dublin. He plays the clarinet and piano and enjoys using his musical skills in the therapy setting to support people to achieve their individual goals.

Róisín Hayes

Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist

Music Therapist Róisín Hayes graduated from the University of Limerick in 2020. Whilst training she gained valuable clinical experience working in a wide variety of child and adult services such as hospice care, special education, clinical settings and mental health. 

Alongside her undergraduate music degree from Trinity College Dublin to the present day, Róisín has gained over nine years of experience as a healthcare assistant in a large acute hospital in Dublin. It was through a combination of this work and her studies that she became passionate about the benefits and need for music therapy. 

Since qualifying Róisín has worked as part of a team introducing, embedding and setting up a Music therapy service in St. James’s Hospital, Dublin. She also covered a 10-month maternity contract in the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) working with children and adults who have experienced a stroke, brain, spinal or limb injury. This led to her carrying out additional specialist Neurologic Music Therapy training (NMT), MATADOC assessment and Halliwick Concept training (collaborative approach with Aqua Physiotherapy) to enhance her music therapy practice. Most recently Róisín has been part of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapies (IACAT) PR and marketing team. Róisín is passionate about service and national development, education and advocating for music therapy. 

Róisín’s passion for music has meant she can play multiple instruments such as the piano, flute, guitar and singing. She also has a background in conducting and composing for both vocal and instrumental ensembles and has worked with several well-known composers and conductors all of which enhances her music therapy practice.

Liz Helitzer

Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist

Liz is an accredited music therapist with experience in health and educational settings.  She has worked with adults and children in a rehabilitation setting, children and young adults with developmental disabilities, and older adults utilising outpatient services. Liz received her Master of Arts in Music Therapy from the University of Limerick in 2020, is a member of the International Academy for Neurologic Music Therapy and has completed training in Guided Imagery and Music, and mindfulness. She is also a board certified music therapist in the United States.  

Liz has served as a guest lecturer on the Masters of Arts in Music Therapy programme at the University of Limerick, and has presented at a number of conferences in Ireland and abroad. She has published multiple research papers within the field of singing for health and wellbeing. 

Prior to completing her degree in music therapy, Liz worked as a professional actor and served as the Executive Director of the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine in the United States. She is grateful to be a part of the Neurolinks team, using music as a tool to help individuals reach their goals.

Rachel Greene

Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist

Rachel Greene is a music therapist from Dublin. She holds a BA in Music from Maynooth University and a MA in Music Therapy from the University of Limerick. During her training she has gained valuable experience working in palliative care, age-related healthcare, with adults who have profound and complex disabilities and children with additional needs. Since qualifying, Rachel has completed Neurologic Music Therapy training. She has also worked in a school with children with additional needs and is currently providing individual music therapy sessions in a St Michaels House residential unit.

"My son has been doing neurologic music therapy sessions with Neurolinks. He really enjoys the sessions. The focus has been on music and speech and language. We are definitely seeing improvements since he started. Would highly recommend it."

Jennifer, parent and carer of young adult living with an ABI
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Neurolinks provides professional music therapy services for people who are living with a neurological condition or who are neurodivergent, their caregivers and families.

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