Poor physical health can lead to a slew of mental health concerns and vice versa. A sound healing practitioner is equipped with the healing power to stimulate the body's energy fields, resulting in mental, emotional and physical healing.
Delivering sound therapy is truly empowering for both the healer and the person being healed, bringing forth a sense of calmness and clarity for both. Anyone can be a sound healer as long as they are passionate about helping others and willing to be trained in this form of therapy. If you want to use the power of sound to help others while pursuing a rewarding career, follow this guide to fulfil your calling.
What is sound healing?
This form of healing is fast becoming a favourite among natural health followers, owing to its wide range of health benefits. Sound healing uses distinct sound frequencies to restore balance and harmony in the human body, as well as to generate binaural beats that help stimulate cognitive function and alleviate mental health issues.
Sound healing can help treat a variety of health conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, sleep disorders and depression. Various sound healing instruments can also help to lower blood pressure, blood glucose levels and stress levels, promoting healing and faster recovery from illnesses on a cellular level.
Source: Women Fitness Magazine
This form of healing involves the use of different sound bath instruments to regulate the vibrational frequency of a person's body, such as:
- Chimes
- Tibetan singing bowls
- Maracas
- Drums
- Crystal bowls
- Pre-recorded sounds
- Human voice
These ancient instruments have been used since time immemorial in health and wellness practices because their sound waves have demonstrated efficacy in pain management and in promoting deep relaxation.
What are the benefits of training to be a sound healer?
Sound healing induces profound feelings that have a wide range of therapeutic benefits. You can assist others in reducing stress and physical pain and enhancing their general health by using a variety of sound healing instruments and your voice.
Qualified sound therapists can work in all types of settings because their unique healing approach can be used as a stand-alone treatment or with other healing modalities. You could work in a hospital, yoga studio or massage centre, or you could combine sound bath sessions with various meditation practices to create a powerful tool for healing the root cause of any health issue.
Professional Bodies in Australia
In Australia, there are several professional bodies that support and represent sound therapists and other complementary therapy practitioners. One notable organization is the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT), which offers membership, accreditation, and professional recognition for sound therapists, along with various other holistic and natural therapy modalities. These professional bodies work to establish and maintain high standards of practice, provide resources and networking opportunities, and advocate for the growth and recognition of sound therapy and other complementary therapies in the healthcare sector.
By affiliating with such organizations, sound therapists in Australia can access continuing education, professional development, and support to further their careers and enhance their skills in the field.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Sound Therapist?
The time it takes to become a sound therapist varies depending on the individual's background, the chosen training program, and the level of qualification desired. Generally, a Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Sound Healing can be completed in a few days to a few weeks, providing a basic understanding of sound healing techniques and principles. This level is suitable for self-healing, friends, and family members.
For those seeking more in-depth training and professional practice, a Level 2 Practitioner Diploma in Sound Healing may take several months to a year to complete. This program offers more advanced techniques, a deeper understanding of sound healing, and prepares the practitioner to work with clients professionally.
Keep in mind that the duration of training programs may vary depending on the specific courses, institutions, and the individual's pace of learning. It's essential to choose a training program that aligns with your goals and educational needs. Additionally, professional development and learning in the field of sound therapy should be considered an ongoing process, with practitioners attending workshops, conferences, and engaging in continued education to stay current with the latest techniques and advancements.
Sound Healing Techniques for Specific Conditions
There are various sound healing techniques that can be used to treat specific mental and physical health conditions. Some examples include:
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and drums can be used to create a calming and grounding environment for individuals suffering from PTSD. These sounds can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, which can be beneficial for processing traumatic experiences.
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Addiction: Binaural beats, a form of sound therapy that involves listening to two different frequencies simultaneously, have been found to help individuals struggling with addiction. These beats can stimulate the brain to produce specific brainwave patterns that are associated with relaxation, focus, and mental clarity, which can be helpful in managing cravings and maintaining sobriety.
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Fibromyalgia: Sound healing techniques that promote relaxation and reduce stress, such as crystal singing bowls and guided meditation, can be beneficial for individuals with fibromyalgia. These practices can help manage chronic pain and improve sleep quality.
How to be a qualified sound healer
There are different learning pathways for sound healing, each with a curriculum that is aligned with your educational and career goals. Although improvement in health is the ultimate goal of all types of sound therapy practices, there are various approaches (and musical instruments) to achieving this.
Some sound healers use drums in sound therapy, while others offer gong baths to their clients. The use of crystal singing bowls is perhaps the most common method for inducing deep relaxation or assisting in pain management, though some practitioners swear by incorporating audio recordings and voice therapy into a sound bath experience.
To find the right path to becoming the type of sound healer you want to be, keep an open and curious mind as you go through the following steps:
1. Be genuinely interested to learn
To be admitted to a sound therapy school, you have to meet only one criterion — a genuine interest in learning how sound healing tools can treat the human body, mind and spirit. You don't need to be a certified natural therapy practitioner or have a degree in music to be able to absorb what is taught in class. If you happen to be a qualified practitioner of another modality, you may find sound therapy worth adding to your healing arsenal.
2. Obtain a qualification
Whether you're aiming for a certificate or a diploma in sound healing, you'll find several schools in Australia that are capable of providing you with a comprehensive education.
The Level 1 Foundation Certificate in Sound Healing will provide you with the basic level of awareness required to appreciate the therapeutic effects of divine sound. It explains the modality's theory as well as fundamental healing techniques using a variety of instruments such as tuning forks, Tibetan bowls, percussion instruments, audio recordings, and your voice. After completing this certification program, you will be able to heal yourself, your friends and family members.
The Level 2 Practitioner Diploma in Sound Healing is the best option if you wish to learn more about sound healing at a deeper level. This is a more intensive course that will raise your level of consciousness and teach you to play a variety of instruments while also developing a feeling of unity with them.
3. Choose the best school
Because sound healing involves playing a range of instruments, each vibrating at different frequencies depending on the aural field it's working on, it's crucial that you study with a registered training organisation (RTO). This ensures you are guided properly and provided with a nationally accredited qualification.
Also, check if the school you plan to enrol in belongs to the relevant professional association such as the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT). It's worth checking out Sound Healing Journeys, Sound Healing Academy and Annie Ridgeway's sound healing workshop courses, as they offer great training programs.
Studying for a sound therapy qualification will open your door to a vast array of opportunities. You could work in various health and wellness settings or even open your own private practice to serve as people's therapeutic hub in the coming years.
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