Rising Stars: Meet Sara Demlow of Roswell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Demlow.

Hi Sara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Music, storytelling, and the radical acceptance of others have always been central parts of my life, consistently modeled by my family. I love sharing music as a way to connect with others and to learn about people’s lived experiences, as well as to support the brain’s endless capacity for change. In high school, once I discovered music therapy, I knew early on that it was the path I wanted to pursue, and it remains one of the best decisions I have made. After graduating from Georgia College and State University, I knew I was passionate about supporting individuals with special needs, and addressing mental health needs, though I was still discovering the direction my career would ultimately take. From the beginning, I also knew I wanted to pursue a Master’s in Social Work to more effectively promote community-level change and provide comprehensive support.

I began my career working in mental health. Over time, I felt drawn to both school-based work and private practice, leading me to step back and work as a teacher at a school serving individuals of various ages with neurological differences. I quickly fell in love with this population, though I missed practicing music therapy. Through professional connections, I was able to contract briefly with Metro Music Makers and with Perfect Harmony Health, facilitating weekend group sessions. Eventually, I was encouraged to apply for a salaried music therapy position at Perfect Harmony Health, an opportunity that is not always common in our field. I have now been with the organization for over two years.

After one year in this role, I decided to pursue my Master’s in Social Work part-time through an online program. I am now more than halfway through the program and preparing to begin my Advanced Placement internship while continuing to work full-time. Although my schedule is full, it is deeply fulfilling. I am excited to integrate my experiences to connect families and individuals with neurological differences to meaningful resources and to work toward making mental health services more accessible to these communities.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has not been an easy one, particularly this past year. My mother passed away in July, and while I had already been managing anxiety, depression, and ADHD, these challenges intensified as I navigated my grief. I have been incredibly fortunate to receive support from compassionate healthcare professionals who provided what I needed during this time, as well as from colleagues whose kindness and encouragement have been unwavering. My family has also been a constant source of strength, always present when I need them most.

My mother’s passing has become a powerful motivator in my work. She was deeply passionate and always encouraged me to pursue my dreams, as long as I remained kind. Carrying the knowledge that she would be proud of me gives me strength and purpose every single day.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Perfect Harmony Health, I currently work full-time as a music therapist while also serving in an additional administrative role as a Resource Specialist. I work with a diverse range of clients who present with neurological differences, including Autism, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and more. The majority of my caseload consists of teens and adults with Autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental or support needs. I am very passionate about supporting these individuals and their families.

As a music therapist, I love the opportunity to work one-on-one with clients to address sensory regulation, communication, motor skills, emotional expression, and much much more. Music has a unique ability to engage the entire brain, and when used therapeutically by a licensed music therapist, it can help strengthen neural connections and support meaningful growth and change.

In my role as Resource Specialist, I oversee staff resources as well as parent and family support resources. This is a newer role for me, and I am excited to continue developing strong, accessible support for the community I serve. One of my current goals is to begin facilitating parent education and support groups. We are also excited to be hosting our first parent respite night, scheduled for February, which will include a parent support group hour.

I think what sets our organization apart from others is our true dedication to our mission, which is creating access to life through the healing power of music. Our core values spell out C.A.R.E.S, Creative Intent, Accessibility, Respect, Empathy, and Service. We have big dreams and a whole 2035 plan to truly become a community center that is able to give people the resources they need, as well as create a space of safety, hope, togetherness, and joy to our families. This is something that I have found within this work community, and something that in my current and future roles, I hope to continue to foster.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe you have to accept luck and learn to work with it. Both good and bad things will always happen, but what matters is choosing to spread kindness, support others through challenges, and celebrate successes. Always remember that you matter and that you are enough, no matter what is happening at any given moment. Celebrate good luck, honor hard work, and practice radical acceptance of others.

Pricing:

• Individual On-Site Hour $130
• Individual On-Site Half-Hour $90
• Evaluation / Re-evaluation +$90
• Group Off-Site Hour $145 + mileage
• Group Off-Site Half-Hour $105 + mileage

Contact Info:

• Website: https://perfectharmonyhealth.com