Dr. Rachel Wells
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor & Board-Certified Music Therapist
Kennebunk,ME
Summary
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Board-Certified Music Therapist with an emphasis on child, adolescent, and adult psychotherapy and wellness, along with ten years of practice experience. Expertise in delivering therapeutic interventions and fostering emotional well-being. Skilled in individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, clinical supervision, and mental health assessment. Strong focus on collaboration and achieving positive outcomes, adaptable to changing client needs. Known for empathy, patience, and excellent communication skills.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Company Owner & Therapist
Headwaters Wellness
Kennebunk, ME
10.2016 - Current
- Managed private practice of 25 clients per week.
- Performed client assessments and developed treatment plans.
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' levels of functioning.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Supervised Master's level music therapy interns from Lesley University.
- Supervised Master's level interns from University of Southern Maine
- Supervised conditionally-licensed clinicians for licensure
- Utilized scientific research based interventions.
- Contracted group services for local residential mental health and substance rehabilitation facilities.
Music Therapist, Expressive Arts Therapist
Cornerstones Of Maine
Kennebunkport, ME
10.2016 - 06.2019
- Developed goal-oriented psycho-educational therapeutic activities to improve clients' levels of functioning.
- Implemented bi-weekly creative art therapy activities to treat 12 to 15 young adult clients in transitional residential housing for mental health.
- Observed, monitored and documented client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Composed, arranged and adapted music for music therapy interventions and conducted music therapy research to advance collective knowledge and improve outcomes.
- Collaborated with psychologists and other therapeutic staff in weekly meetings.
- Trained and supervised music therapy intern to co-lead sessions.
Clinical School Social Worker
RSU21 School District
Kennebunk, ME
10.2017 - 06.2018
- Provided contracted school counseling services to meet state requirements for caseloads to relieve full-time social workers.
- Worked with teachers to implement behavioral improvement plans based on established assessments.
- Conferred with educators to identify current classroom concerns and diversify instructional strategies.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni and administration.
- Identified and addressed concerns of incoming students and parents.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust and rapport to de-escalate situations.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement toward IEP goals.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of school psychologists, teachers and administrators to create and implement Individualized Education Plans.
- Reported child abuse in accordance with legal standards of mandatory reporters.
- Maintained caseload of more than 20 children in public schools.
Early Childhood Coordinator, Clinician
The Brien Center
Pittsfield, MA
06.2010 - 09.2011
- Coordinated and supervised clinicians to provide mental health and behavioral assessments for all daycare and preschools in Berkshire County.
- Provided training to preschool teachers on identifying students of need and interventions for emotional wellness.
- Promoted quickly to Early Childhood Coordinator.
- Consistently met required 26 direct client hours per week.
- Provided in-home and outpatient services.
- Directed family-centered, strengths-based, culturally-competent, and individualized intakes and assessments.
- Ran individual therapy and family therapy sessions for children and young adults ages two to twenty one.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' levels of functioning.
- Applied array of different methodologies to assist patients with therapy.
- Complied with federal, state and local standards relating to child protection, client confidentiality, risk assessment and reporting and documentation.
- Facilitated smooth discharge by encouraging and reassuring clients throughout transitions.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
The Crossnore School
Crossnore, North Carolina
08.2009 - 06.2010
- Provided individual and group therapy sessions for children living at school.
- Mediated conflicts between residents to clarify and resolve underlying issues.
- Developed goal-oriented expressive arts therapy groups to improve clients' levels of functioning.
- Collaborated with case manager and residential coordinators to provide continuity of care.
- Helped prepare residents for transition to adoptive homes.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
Seby B. Jones Cancer Center
Boone, NC
08.2009 - 12.2009
- Provided mental health counseling and support for patients and their family during chemotherapy.
- Collaborated with nursing staff and doctors to provide person-centered care.
- Encouraged patients to discuss experiences in group and individual settings.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to address anxiety and depression related to their cancer diagnosis.
Mental Health Counseling Intern
Mountain Pathways Montessori School
Boone, North Carolina
01.2009 - 06.2009
- Provided individual and family therapy sessions for children two through twelve years of age.
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational groups to improve clients' level of emotional well-being as well as increase skills for understanding of diversity and inclusivity.
- Worked collaboratively with teachers and caregivers to provide consistent care.
Board-Certified Music Therapy Intern
Dr. Baker Family Medicine
Linville, NC
01.2009 - 04.2009
- Developed and provided music therapy treatment during labor and delivery to pregnant mothers.
- Made accurate treatment decisions by assessing client functioning levels, strengths and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical or other abilities.
- Analyzed data to determine effectiveness of music therapy on perception of pain and their childbirth experience.
- Composed, arranged, and adapted music for music therapy treatments.
- Conducted music therapy qualitative research to advance collective knowledge and improve outcomes.
- Identified and responded to emergency situations, providing physical, emotional and mental support for critical incidents.
- Patients self-reported use of music during labor increased perception of birthing process.
Education
Ph.D. - Counseling Psychology
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA 05.2001 -
Post-Degree Certificate - Expressive Arts Therapy
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 05.2001 -
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Expressive Arts
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 05.2001 -
Master of Music Therapy - Music Therapy
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC 05.2001 -
Bachelor's of Music - Music Therapy
Anna Maria College
Paxton, MA 05.2001 -
Additional Information
Contributing Author
- Thomas, B. (2019). Creative Coping Skills for Teens and Tweens: Activities for Self Care and Emotional Support including Art, Yoga, and Mindfulness . London, England: Jessica Kingsley.
Board Member 2018-2021
- The Center for Social Isolation Remedies
Volunteerism:
- Maine Frontline Warmline/Maine Responds Disaster Services
- Preble Street Resource Center Soup Kitchen
- Kennebunk Elementary School
- Fresh Air Fund Family since 2018
Timeline
Clinical School Social Worker
RSU21 School District
10.2017 - 06.2018
Company Owner & Therapist
Headwaters Wellness
10.2016 - Current
Music Therapist, Expressive Arts Therapist
Cornerstones Of Maine
10.2016 - 06.2019
Early Childhood Coordinator, Clinician
The Brien Center
06.2010 - 09.2011
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
The Crossnore School
08.2009 - 06.2010
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Intern
Seby B. Jones Cancer Center
08.2009 - 12.2009
Mental Health Counseling Intern
Mountain Pathways Montessori School
01.2009 - 06.2009
Board-Certified Music Therapy Intern
Dr. Baker Family Medicine
01.2009 - 04.2009
Ph.D. - Counseling Psychology
Lesley University
05.2001 -
Post-Degree Certificate - Expressive Arts Therapy
Appalachian State University
05.2001 -
Master of Arts - Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Expressive Arts
Appalachian State University
05.2001 -
Master of Music Therapy - Music Therapy
Appalachian State University
05.2001 -
Bachelor's of Music - Music Therapy
Anna Maria College
05.2001 -