Local music therapist adapting to online and telehealth to reach community members

Multiple outlets have reported therapy numbers rising since the outbreak of COVID-19. Music therapist and owner of The Joy of Music in Washington, Elisabeth Peiffer, has seen an increase in her practice too but has had to adapt to the changes.

On a normal day, Peiffer said she would have a list of clients she needed to visit and spend the day preparing for them. For some, she would write songs, for others she can find songs and for all she gathers materials and instruments needed.

'Part of the day is preparing for each individual session. It's looking at their goals and seeing what they want to accomplish,” she said.

Once the session begins, it can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes. Afterward, she spends time documenting what occurred to keep track of progress, she said.

As a business owner, she also has to respond to business clients who contact her for music classes and being in tune with the community to see how she can provide additional music services.

'I wear a lot of different hats,” she said. 'It just requires you to be involved.”

Because the large majority of her clientele is outsourced, Peiffer and staff have to travel often. They go as far as the borders of Illinois and Missouri and meet with people in several different settings.

From mental health facilities within hospitals to working with children with autism to working with those on hospice, Peiffer said the day can vary.

'A music therapist is trained to work with all the populations that exist,” she said.

Music therapy is similar to most therapies, she said. It uses components of talk, social and emotional therapy to meet the client at their own comfort level. The therapist uses music to address non-musical goals, such as physical, social, emotional and behavioral skills she said.

'We work with individuals who are trying to establish their own personal goals,” she said. 'Music therapy is an allied health profession. We work with people from birth to end of life. It's the interaction with the individual and the use of music to help the individual with what they are struggling with.”

Due to restrictions that prevent interactions, business has slowed down tremendously, she said.

'Because we are not nurses, we are not allowed to visit in nursing homes anymore,” she said, explaining she has not seen her special edition students either because the schools are closed. However, Peiffer reported she has been able to reach out to families and schedule sessions via telehealth.

Not just those who use her services regularly, but those who may not have known they needed music therapy are able to experience it for free. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. she has gone live on Facebook with educational and kid-friendly activities.

'It's definitely not the same as the therapy we can do for each individual, but my goal is to produce some social and emotional relief to families in the community,” she said.

Each session lasts 30-40 minutes and allows parents a reprieve from chaos and helps keeps brains active, she said. Peiffer is also offering her services via telehealth and even though it is not the same, it's the best she can do at this time.

'I've just created other ways to see what they need and right now they just need that music time,” she said.

Peiffer is taking donations via her Facebook page as she continues to try and reach the community during this time of need. She has gotten positive feedback from community members, she said, and it has become something people count on.

'I think it's filling a void and it's helping,” she said.

Music therapy is especially important during this time of self-isolation, she said, because it is already used therapeutically in every day life. The music puts validity to the meaning of emotions and feelings and helps with self expression.

'Music connects to everyone No matter what culture you're from or socioeconomic status you have, music connects to your life,” she said. 'Because music connects to the brain differently than so many other mediums, we almost have this untouchable limit. Music is already there. It's a natural motivator.”