Our Team
Jillian Mehler, MM, MT-BC, NMT
Our therapeutic programs are the heart of our business. Jillian Mehler, MM, MT-BC, NMT became a board certified music therapist in 2005 and founded Whole Steps Creative Arts Center in Miami, Florida. Jillian graduated from Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor's Degree in music therapy and then received a Master's Degree in music therapy from the University of Miami. She also has additional certifications in Neurologic Music Therapy, Ready Bodies Learning Minds, and several other sensory and academic programs. Jillian’s creative programs promote social and communicative skills among students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and related exceptionalities.
Safiya Jackson, MM, MT-BC
My name is Safiya Jackson, MM, MT-BC, a board-certified music therapist who resides in Miami, FL. Music has been a passion of mine from a young. Throughout my school years I was invested and dedicated to piano lessons and art lessons. For my bachelor's degree I obtained my degree in music performance with a concentration on classical piano at Gardner-Webb University. After completing my undergraduate degree, I decided to continue my higher education by pursuing my Master's of Music in Music Therapy at the University of Miami. During the completing of this degree and training I had the opportunity to work with a variety of client populations which included early intervention, hospitalized children and adolescents, cancer patients, and hospice care. Music is helpful for all individuals and client populations for various reasons, however I found it most fulfilling assisting children and adolescents improve and succeed in increasing their developmental skills to help them live a full life.
Grace Bell
Grace Bell is an adapted music instructor. She is currently a certified Music Educator (BME), who is seeking her Music Therapy Accreditation (MT-BC). Grace obtained her bachelor's from Southeastern University in 2022 and will be obtaining her accreditation from Saint Mary in Woods College in 2026. Grace has been a private piano teacher and instructor in the Lakeland area for 4 years. She is excited to work with a variety of populations and share her passion for music with others.
