(314) 730-5313
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Our Therapists
TRACIE SANDHEINRICH, MA, LPC, LPMT, MT-BC
Owner, Licensed Professional Counselor, Board-Certified Music Therapist,
Director of Clinical Services & Development
SPECIALIZATION:
Adult, geriatric, hospice/palliative care, neurologic rehabilitation, pediatric medical, chronic illness, grief/bereavement support, sexual assault/IPV, personal-centered/strength-based theories, trauma-informed care (all ages), mental health counseling
Tracie Sandheinrich is a board-certified music therapist and licensed professional counselor with almost 2 decades of experience and an unwavering belief in the power of music, connection, and compassion to transform lives. Growing up in a musical family, she learned early how songs can bring people together and offer comfort during difficult times. That passion led her to pursue music therapy at Maryville University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree.
Tracie began her career with BJC Hospice in Farmington, MO, supporting individuals and families during some of life’s most tender moments. In 2009, she founded her first practice, Through Melody (in Illinois), which eventually evolved into Music Therapy St. Louis, where she now proudly serves as Owner and Director of Clinical Services & Development.
That same year, Tracie helped pioneer Kids Rock Cancer, a nonprofit program at Maryville University that empowers children and families navigating cancer and blood disorders through songwriting and recording. For 13 years, she offered direct services, supervised therapists and students, and poured her heart into community engagement and outreach, serving over 2,000 families. She continues to be inspired by the courage and creativity of every child and family who has shared their story through music.
Tracie also serves as the lead therapist for The Angel Band Project,
a trauma-informed program supporting survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. In this role, she provides direct clinical care while leading and mentoring the ABP team of therapists across the St. Louis region, helping to
expand access to healing through music and creative expression.
In addition to her music therapy work, Tracie earned her master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University. She sees private clients for counseling support and is passionate about helping people feel safe, understood, and genuinely cared for. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed, blending cognitive-behavioral, strength-based, humanistic, and person-centered practices. To learn more about her counseling services, you can visit her Psychology Today profile HERE.
At the heart of Tracie’s work is a deep love for community. She feels grateful every day to lead a team of dedicated, “rock-star” therapists who share her mission of using music and mental health care to uplift, empower, and strengthen the St. Louis community.
DESTINY BUSHWAY, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
Children and adults of varying abilities, mental health, medical, hospice, geriatric + palliative care
Music has been a part of Destiny’s life since she can remember. Her family is very musical and her father taught music when she was a child. This made music a part of everyday life for her. She began singing and taking piano lessons at a very young age and her desire to be involved with music continued to grow. All through her early education, she was involved in choirs and bands. It was in her teens that she joined her first
contemporary band and fell in love with performing and songwriting. She has continued to write songs and play in bands as well as being involved in the direction of a church band for nearly a decade. Her desire to use music in a career that would serve others continued to nudge her through her twenties when she learned about music therapy through her grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was intrigued by how music affected her so positively through one of the most difficult times of her family’s lives. This is where she learned that her love for music and for helping others could be combined in the use of music therapy. Since that point, she knew that’s where she belonged and has been pursuing that dream ever since. She received her Bachelors in Music Therapy at Maryville University.
ANNA M. DREXELIUS, MMT, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
Children, teens, and adults of varying abilities +
memory care + trauma
Anna has been specializing in mental health care since
2011, working in long-term inpatient settings, acute
inpatient psychiatric care, and community-based
services. She is passionate about using music to help
others heal from trauma, overcome obstacles, and build
the lives they want. Anna believes in creating safe,
inclusive environments for therapy participants to
express, explore, and transform their thoughts and feelings. She also encourages the use of practical strategies to meet personal goals and enhance unique perspectives on health and wellness. In addition to mental health concerns, Anna enjoys working with children and adults of all abilities, using music to create opportunities for success, autonomy, joy, and individual authenticity. When working with people receiving hospice care, Anna focuses on helping them live fully while dying, building a legacy, and processing painful feelings associated with end-of-life care. Anna earned a Bachelor of Music Performance (viola) degree from the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music Therapy degree at Maryville University. Her master's specialization project explored opportunities for integrating music therapy into the practice of Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
SARAH BERNSTEIN, MMT, MT-BC, NMT
Board-Certified Music Therapist
Neurologic Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
Children, pediatric medical/hospital, pre and peri natal families + neurologic rehabilitation
Sarah is a passionate music enthusiast dedicated
to helping others. She designed her undergraduate
program at the University of Illinois-Urbana
Champaign, integrating music, psychology, and
pre-med courses, and graduated with a Bachelor’s
degree in 2014. She went on to earn a Master of
Music Therapy degree from Maryville University and
has been a practicing Board-Certified Music
Therapist since 2017. Throughout her career, Sarah
has worked in various settings, such as the Special
School District, Lafayette Industries, Pujols Family
Foundation, The Angel Band Project, and St. Louis
Children’s Hospital, providing assessment and treatment plans for individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. In her free time, Sarah cherishes moments with her family and friends and enjoys singing with the St. Louis Women’s Chorale. She is married, adores her dogs, and has a strong affection for sushi. Sarah and her husband welcomed a baby boy into the world in December 2024 and have been loving getting to know their new family member! Sarah is excited to be part of the Music Therapy St. Louis team!
KAELA STAHLHUT, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist, Creative Director
SPECIALIZATION:
Early childhood, children, teens and adults of varying abilities,
geriatric / memory care
Kaela started her musical journey in fourth grade when her
elementary school had a visit from the high school orchestra
teacher. She fell in love with the violin and played it until she
had to have her fingers bandaged! Kaela continued her violin
studies through school and into college, participating in school and university symphonies, district and state competitions, and community ensembles. Kaela first learned about music therapy at a workshop for ILMEA solo & ensemble. This piqued her interest and she decided to research it further. She then pursued a bachelor's degree in music therapy from Drury University and graduated in May 2020. Following her internship at Music Therapy St. Pete, LLC in St. Petersburg, FL, she accepted a position at an assisted living and memory care facility in Ladue, MO. During the pandemic, she continued working with Music Therapy St. Pete, LLC through telehealth and in person from 2021 until the Spring of 2022. While she enjoyed her time in Florida, Kaela and her husband ultimately decided to move back to the St. Louis area to be closer to friends and family. Kaela has developed a love for working with diverse populations. Kaela, who is also the Creative Director for MTSTL, brings her creative vision to online presence and community outreach.
MADELEINE ECKERT, LPMT, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
Children and adults of varying abilities,
hospice, geriatric + palliative care
Madeleine has always had a passion for music. From taking dance, piano, and voice lessons to participating in various choirs from elementary school through college, music has always been a significant part of her life. Alongside her love for music, Madeleine has always had a strong desire to serve others. When she discovered music therapy at a summer music camp, Madeleine knew that this would be her lifelong career. While studying at the University of Miami, Madeleine completed her
practicum requirements in various medical settings in the Miami area.
To broaden her music therapy experience, Madeleine did her internship with a private practice in Louisville, KY. During her time there, she worked mainly at an inpatient psychiatric facility but also with adults of varying abilities and children in an inclusive school setting. In August of 2021, Madeleine earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with a double major in Psychology. After a short break, during which she got married and moved to rural Iowa, Madeleine started working as a contractor for a private practice called the Joy of Music, LLC. There, she worked with hospice patients and children with disabilities in the southeastern Iowa region. It was in this role that she discovered her passion for working with the hospice and geriatric populations. After nearly a year in Iowa, Madeleine and her husband decided to move to the St. Louis area to be closer to family. Madeleine is enthusiastic about her work with MTSTL and is grateful for the opportunity to provide music therapy for populations in both Illinois and Missouri who may not typically have access to such services.
GRACE BURNS, LPMT, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
hospice, geriatrics,
children and adult all abilities
Grace Burns, MT-BC, graduated from
the University of Evansville with her
Bachelor of Music Therapy in 2021.
After completing her internship with a
hospice and palliative care company in
Indianapolis, Grace accepted a music
therapy role with a hospice company in Evansville, IN.
Grace transitioned back to St. Louis (STL) during the
Summer of 2024 for her dream career with MTSTL.
Grace has always been heavily involved in music, with
her parents claiming that she was singing before she was speaking.
Music Therapy allows Grace to combine her love of music and helping people into one incredible role. She enjoys working with all populations but finds hospice and memory care to be extra special. In her free time, Grace enjoys spending time in the great outdoors with her husband, reading a good book, and cuddling with her cats and dogs. Grace cannot wait to continue to grow with MTSTL and is so excited to watch her career blossom. Grace provides music therapy services in both Missouri and Illinois.
ROSALIE STARKWEATHER, MA, MT-BC, NMT
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
geriatric, psychiatric, developmental,
and medicine & rehabilitation
Rosalie was born in Wisconsin, where
her love for music was fostered
through singing and songwriting, as it
gave her a means to process her
emotions and life events. This fueled
her passion to go on to study music
therapy. Rosalie graduated from
Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her
bachelor’s inmusic therapy. Rosalie has experience in
geriatric, psychiatric, developmental, and medicine &
rehabilitation. Rosalie is a neurologic music therapist,
using this specialization to help clients in cognitive, speech, motor goals. Rosalie has a strong passion for work in behavior, trauma, and self-management using music therapy. In December 2024, Rosalie will have completed her master’s in special education & applied behavior analysis. Rosalie believes music is the strongest motivator and reinforcer for positive change. Rosalie's working experience ranges from ID/DD to early childhood development and trauma all the way to forensic psychiatric.
Telehealth only
STEPHANIE BOBCIK, MT-BC
Board-Certified Music Therapist
SPECIALIZATION:
geriatric, memory care, hospice,
palliative care, adults and
children of varying abilities
Stephanie graduated from Maryville
University St. Louis with her
B.S in music therapy in
2009. She has practiced
music therapy in St. Louis, Southern Illinois, and
Northwest Indiana. Stephanie loves making connections
and helping people through the power of music.
Stephanie worked at Parc Provence for 5 years, creating new geriatric group music therapy sessions as well as seeing private music therapy clients. Stephanie loves bringing fun and energy into every session and loves spontaneous moments and
silly song writing. Stephanie moved to Northwest Indiana in 2022 and was a part of the Great Lakes Music Therapy team where she loved helping people of all ages and abilities. She recently moved back to this area and is extremely excited to be a part of the MTSTL team, make connections, and change lives through the power of music.
