Meet our Music Therapist!

The Saint Louis Crisis Nursery’s Child Therapy Program - The Healing Hearts Program - began in 1995 with the addition of our first Art Therapist. Since then, our team has expanded to include Play Therapists, and most recently, the Nursery added a Music Therapist to our Child Therapy Team! We are so thrilled to welcome Rosalie Starkweather, MT-BC, NMT to the Crisis Nursery. Rosalie is a Board Certified Music Therapist and Neurologic Music Therapist with experience working with all ages, but a passion for working with children. As part of our Healing Hearts Program, Rosalie travels to each of our five regional Nursery locations to provide children with opportunities to express themselves through music in a safe, therapeutic environment.

Why did you choose to pursue a career as a Music Therapist?

“As I was growing up, I would song write to express how I was feeling and process life’s events. I also grew up with a passion for the health field and helping people. I know what music has done for me by giving me a safe space and a community, and I wanted to go further in this feeling as a Music Therapist to help others using music.”

 How is Music Therapy beneficial for children who visit the Crisis Nursery?

“Music is the only thing that activates both hemispheres of the brain at the same time. Music helps the child to self-manage their behaviors, process stressful situations through songs they are familiar with or write themselves. Music encourages socialization within a group session with peers and helps children to build positive relationships with adults. Music also promotes self-expression, communication, motor, and language development. The list is never ending!”

How have you seen Music Therapy impact children at the Nursery?

“I have seen children who are reserved and hesitant to participate and socialize use music and songwriting to open up and share their story and emotions. Some of the songs that we have written together have been about children’s communities, families, friendships, and things that they enjoy. Another thing that I love to see is the shift that happens when a child struggles to engage with peers and staff. The moment the guitar comes out, their hesitancy falls and the child is standing right in front of the guitar to strum it.”

Through our Healing Hearts Program, children build positive coping skills, positive self-esteem, and positive relaxation techniques and learn to identify, express and regulate feelings. The Crisis Nursery is excited to offer children the opportunity to do this through the languages that are most natural to them - Art, Play, and Music!