Santa Barbara Music Therapy is a private practice owned and operated by Al Neale. Mr. Neale grew up in Charleston, SC, and began playing guitar at the age of 15. He completed his BA majoring in music and religious studies at Guilford College in Greensboro NC in 2011. After working as a musician, teacher, and sound engineer, he began to focus his attention on the healing benefits of music therapy.

After completing over 1200 clinical work hours, including a six month internship with MusicWorx in San Diego, he achieved his music therapy equivalency certification with St. Mary of the Woods College.

Mr. Neale has had the opportunity to work in a wide variety of settings, from hospitals to schools and therapeutic clinics, and with a wide variety of populations, including clients needing memory care, children with special needs, and people with substance use disorders. Mr. Neale has lived in Santa Barbara with his wife, Betsy, for the past 10 years.