During the summer of 2018, a group of Grinnellians headed by Dr. J.R. Paulson started a music therapy program for Grinnell School students, UnityPoint Health—Grinnell and UnityPoint Hospice patients, and local seniors, including residents of The Mayflower Community. The Grinnell Area Arts Council became the fiscal and management agent for the program.
Last February, Rachael Schiller, Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC), moved to Grinnell as our second music therapist to provide case management-based services through her employer, Music Speaks of Cedar Rapids. Until the pandemic hit, Rachael was living in an apartment provided by The Mayflower Community. Since then, Rachael moved to Michigan from where she is providing virtual music services (VMS).
Music Speaks has been providing 100% VMS during the pandemic. Even though the program is missing some elements of music therapy, they have adapted to using accessible tools to assist clients with physical and mental health needs during this time. Music Speaks and Rachael have discovered that clients now need additional support and services more than ever.
Rachael is a Bismarck ND native who received her music therapy certification at the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Music. During her college years, Rachael worked with mission schools in Germany, Liberia, and West Africa for over six months.
She completed her internship at Marwood Nursing and Rehab in Port Huron, MI. Rachael specializes in working with children, older adults, those who have had a stroke, individuals with dementia, and adults with disabilities. In addition, she has worked in the hospital in palliative care, oncology, and general surgery units. She is a member of American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
Music therapy is a health profession that uses research-based music interventions for non-musical goals, especially to address a client’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs. Music therapy is a non-invasive and non-threatening treatment for those suffering from diseases, disabilities, impairments, or ailments. Rachael’s role is to assess referred clients to determine therapy goals, provide therapy, and document outcomes.
Rachael has been back to Grinnell periodically and plans to return when she is able to provide in-person services. Mayflower is currently providing VMS and has temporarily increased the frequency of services. For other clients, Rachael is providing VMS in their homes.
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