Individual Music Therapy for Mental Health & Wellness
San Francisco Bay Area + virtually nationwide
Helping adults ease anxiety, improve self-esteem, and reignite creativity.
Are you struggling with anxiety or self-doubt? Feeling scattered? Worried about the future or stuck in the past? Lost touch with your creative side (or perhaps you were never allowed to explore it in the first place?) You aren’t alone, and I want to help you get on the road to feeling better.
Welcome to Feel Creative Wellness. I’m Elisha: a board-certified music therapist. My approach to therapy is authentic, bold, intuitive, and creative. I want to help you feel grounded, confident, connected, empowered, and balanced.
Feel is an innovative private music therapy practice for adults seeking a safe space to explore their potential and live an authentic and creatively inspired life. It's for deep feelers and thinkers, and those who are searching for better days ahead. Is that you?
Let's dive in.
Who I am
Hi, I’m Elisha (she/her/hers): I specialize in music therapy for adults who want to ease anxiety, improve self-esteem, and reignite creativity.
(I’m also a writer, a dog mom, a feminist, an avid thrifter, a social work graduate student, a birder, and a flannel enthusiast.)
I’m a nationally board-certified music therapist with a master’s degree in Music Therapy and over a decade of experience working with folks just like you.
My approach
I believe that you are the expert of your own life. I see you as an equal partner in the therapeutic relationship. My approach is warm, trauma-informed, attentive, and person-centered.
I view you as a person within the many complex systems impacting us all. I don’t think you can “self-care” your way out of systemic oppression, YET I do think self-care and community care can help all of us navigate (and dismantle!) these hard systems.
My practice is holistic, which means I often incorporate other research-based and innovative techniques like mindfulness, meditation, and movement into our work. I’ll often ask you questions like, “How does that emotion feel in your body?” and teach you creative ways to express it. My goal is to help you restore and/or build trust with your body and mind in a trauma-informed environment.
I prioritize quality over quantity, so with me you will never feel rushed or like a patient number. I intentionally cap my client caseload so that I can devote the time and attention you deserve both within and in-between sessions. (Keeping a lower case load also helps prevent therapist burnout, so you can rest assured you’re getting the best version of me every time we meet.)
My clients have reported feeling more optimistic, energized, focused, relaxed, mindful, creative, happy, grounded, calm, empowered, and confident after working with me.
When you’re ready to start feeling better, I’m ready to help. Book your free 20-minute initial consult today to see if we’d be a good fit.
Who I work with
As of December 2024, my practice is currently full. If you would like to join the wait list as a future potential client, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page to get in touch.
I work with adult clients ages 18+ for individual music therapy. My clients are folks from all walks of life, and I have extensive experience providing music therapy as holistic and supplemental therapy within these areas:
anxiety, highly sensitive people (HSP), low self-esteem, depression, major life transitions, trauma/PTSD, bipolar disorder, BPD (I have completed training in DBT-Informed Music Therapy), chronic illness/pain/visible and non-visible disabilities (I have lived experience with an invisible disability), burnout, imposter syndrome, perfectionism/people pleasing that interferes with your life, grief and loss.
Whether you’ve been engaged in self-work for years or this is your first time seeking professional support, I’d love to chat with you.
“Elisha is the best at what she does. She’s compassionate and caring. She’s taught me how to use breathing, mindfulness, music, and meditation to help me heal. Our work together has sparked a creativity in me that was dormant. I highly recommend her for trauma, anxiety, and grief.
— Lisa, Music Therapy Client
How we can work together
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Music Therapy
Music Therapy is a creative and holistic approach to mental health support with a credentialed professional. It uses creativity (especially music) to help you explore and process thoughts, feelings, and behaviors contributing to anxiety and stress.
Music Therapy vs. Coaching: the role of the therapist is to create and hold space for you to deeply explore emotions and experiences that are relevant to your healing. Therapists encourage clients to arrive at their own conclusions.
Question a Therapist might ask: “How does talking about this past event make you feel? Where does this emotion show up in your body? What needs to be expressed here? How can we use music or another creative modality to help you express this?”
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Wellness Coaching
Wellness coaching can help you navigate practical challenges and achieve your goals.
Coaching vs. Therapy: Unlike therapy (which often includes a deeper exploration of your past), coaching is a solutions-oriented approach that focuses on the present and future. Coaches often give practical advice, offer solutions, and create action plans.
Question a Coach might ask: “What is a specific goal you have for yourself this week to feel less anxious? How will you hold yourself accountable?”
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End of Life Heartbeat Recording Songs
Innovative and specialized end-of-life support and services for people and pets. A Board-Certified Music Therapist comes to you to record the sound of your loved one’s heartbeat and then weaves it into the song you choose to create a one-of-a-kind piece of music to honor their legacy. PDF images of heartbeats are available and can be used for future projects, such as tattoo art or commissioned pieces. Not interested in the music piece but still want a heartbeat recording? No problem. We offer non-music options. Learn more here.
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Professional Supervision for Music Therapists
1:1 professional supervision for other Music Therapists. My approach to supervision is grounded in mindfulness, trauma-informed, and incorporates elements of mindfulness, meditation, and nature to prevent and/or treat burnout. I’m especially passionate about helping music therapists with high functioning anxiety.
In-person or virtual sessions to fit your needs.
Places we can work together for music therapy, coaching, or supervision:
-In person in Novato, California
-Virtually through teletherapy anywhere you are in the United States.
Let’s talk about Music Therapy.
Sometimes you need more than words to find the meaning.
Are you wondering, “But seriously, what IS music therapy?”
Good. I’m glad you’re here. Don’t leave quite yet. Let me make a case for why music therapy may be exactly the thing you didn’t know you needed.
In music therapy, we use music as the primary tool in sessions. That means, in addition to more traditional talk-based techniques, we are using music to help you explore and process emotions and experiences, retrieve and/or reflect upon memories, and help you step into full self-expression. We’re also teaching you how to use music to support your health every single day!
Music therapy can look like:
Using your favorite music to express how you feel. (That’s right—your favorite music. Not my favorite music (though there may be some fun overlaps.) Not a random playlist someone else created that helps them relax and focus. Your favorite music. And if you aren’t sure what that looks like for you, I will help you explore this, too!)
Taking a deep dive into a specific song’s lyrics to help you understand what you’re feeling (instead of avoiding your emotions.)
Choosing and sharing songs that help tell me who you are, what brings you pain, and what lights you up.
Singing familiar songs together to reap the many physiological and emotional benefits of using and/or reclaiming your own voice.
Writing a song together to help you explore and regulate your emotions, rather than suppress them.
Using musical instruments to “play” different feelings or “talk” about hard things without using words.
Listening to music that helps you feel what you need to feel in a way that feels safe for your nervous system.
Learning to play a musical instrument to help you cope better with anxiety, depression, or stress (yes, it’s time to bring out that old guitar that’s been collecting dust in your attic for years.)
Learning how to use music and other holistic techniques—like mindfulness and meditation—to manage symptoms of mental and physical health conditions.
Creating a music playlist to use for specific purposes (e.g. to improve sleep, to increase energy, to relax)
Oh, and in case you’re wondering: You don’t need a background in music to participate in music therapy. (Though, if you hate music, I wouldn’t recommend music therapy. Plenty of other options out there. But if you don’t hate music, stick around!)
So…if I just listen to my favorite music, is that Music Therapy?
Listening to your favorite music is a tried-and-true way to feel better, and I highly recommend it. But, that isn’t technically “music therapy.”
Music Therapy is a well-established form of clinical treatment that uses music within the therapeutic relationship to help you accomplish your health and wellness goals.
Music Therapy is provided by a Board-Certified Music Therapist who has earned the MT-BC credential, achieved through completing a degree in Music Therapy, completion of an accredited Music Therapy internship, passing a National Board Certification Exam, and obtaining a license in applicable states. Clients do not need any prior music experience to participate in or benefit from Music Therapy.
A short list of benefits include:
Decrease both acute & chronic pain.
Decrease anxiety, depression, and stress.
Improve emotional expression and regulation.
“After having Covid, I developed chronic illness and my anxiety increased. Through wellness coaching, Elisha has helped me with my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. She has lived experience with chronic illness and pain and shares openly about her own journey and recovery, which has helped me learn to better advocate for myself, take breaks, and restore trust with my body. Elisha uses creative practices like music, meditation, and mindfulness to help me decrease stress and anxiety and shift to a healthier mindset… I feel very safe and heard during our coaching sessions. If you want to support your overall wellbeing, I highly recommend working with Elisha!”
-Dayna, Wellness Coaching Client
Theoretical models that inform my music therapy & coaching practices:
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
Mindfulness-based Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Humanistic Therapy
Somatic Therapy (Body centered)
What Clients Are Saying
Google review
“I highly recommend Feel to anyone looking for a fresh, innovative approach to therapy!” -Callie
Google review
“You will find yourself guided into a generative path of healing.” -Dena
“If you are looking for a therapist who creates a genuinely comforting atmosphere and brings a focused presence, you’ve found your clinician! Elisha will meet you where you are, and help you seek the change you’re hoping to find.”
“Elisha is a wonderful music therapist to work with. She is intuitive about what methods work best for each of her patients and has a wide variety of helpful services. She is professional and genuine and proves every day that she really cares about her patients and wants to help them.”
“Elisha is a wealth of knowledge and compassion. You would be hard pressed to find another therapist who can empathize with your experience as much as she can.”
My values
Authenticity: I show up as the most authentic version of myself every single time we interact. I hope this will invite you to “come as you are,” too.
Transparency: I commit to transparent, ethical, and equitable business practices. My service rates are posted here, so there’s no guesswork on your end.
Honesty: I will always be honest with you. I ask you to be honest with me.
Trust: I take your trust in me very seriously and understand the importance of the therapeutic relationship. I also trust the process of change.
Compassion: I believe all people deserve to feel heard, supported, safe, and valued.
STATEMENT OF BELONGING:
My practice is open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, or ability. I am a gender and sexuality affirming therapist.
I do not tolerate any form of hate here.
I am committed to ongoing personal growth and self-reflection, especially regarding my own privilege and how it can sometimes create obstacles to anti-oppressive practices. I take responsibility for co-creating a space where all my clients can express their unique voices, being aware of the differences in individual experiences. I aim to listen carefully as an equal partner in our therapeutic relationship, recognizing that you are the expert of your own life while also being mindful of the power dynamics between therapist and client. I am also willing to engage in repair work whenever it's necessary.
Is Feel right for you?
Working with me might be a good fit for you if:
You’re open to non-traditional therapy and/or you understand that music therapy is NOT traditional psychotherapy. (Note: as a music therapist, I cannot provide medical or mental health diagnoses. While music therapy does include talking and verbal processing, it is not within our scope of practice to serve as a primary therapist for people needing mental health treatment. Music therapy is often supplemental to other mental health treatments, like traditional psychotherapy. If you have questions about this important distinction, let’s chat!)
You are open to using creativity to support your physical and mental health.
You are looking for someone you can trust for the long-term; someone who sees you as an equal partner within the therapeutic or coaching relationship.
You understand that quality creative arts therapy and/or wellness coaching is an investment.
You are committed to sticking with the process and doing the work.
You’re interested in exploring other wellness practices (like mindfulness and meditation) as a holistic path to healing.
You are an amazing human who is worthy of healing, rest, joy, and ease. (Psst…this applies to every single one of you reading this, whether you decide to pursue working together or not. I just wanted to slip it in as your daily reminder in case you needed it.)
Book your free 20-minute initial consultation today.
Curious and want to see if we’d be a good fit? Great! Book your free initial 20-minute consultation with me today. I offer phone or Zoom calls for the initial consult.
It’s free, because I know how hard it is to find the right clinician, and I want both of us to have an opportunity to get a feel for one another before any commitments are made.
Still need some convincing? I get it. I’ve been where you are, trying to figure out what the next “right” step is.
I also know how it feels to be stuck after going through something really, really hard. I know how it feels to be burned out. I know how hard it is to find a great therapist who will meet you where you’re at. I know how it feels to want to find a therapist you can trust for the long-term. Someone who doesn’t just talk the talk but who walks the walk.
So head here to learn more about me and my background (my work and personal story has been recently featured in both CanvasRebel magazine and Bold Journey magazine), check out my blog for a deeper dive into the “whys” and “hows” of music therapy and creative wellness, or connect on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at my work (where you will likely meet the MVP of my practice, my elderly doggo “Jersey.”)
I can’t wait to hear from you. Remember, healing starts the moment you initiate the process. That process could be as simple as sending an email and saying, “I’m interested. Tell me more.”
To better health and wellness,
Elisha
