Music and Sound Healing Courses

Sound waves and frequencies shown on a screenThis post is for anyone wishing to find out more about how sound therapy works and some of the different methods. You will find below details of  music and sound healing courses that will help you to do that. They are all online and range from free, introductory courses to paid diploma programmes.

There is also a section towards the end with guidance about how to become a professional Music Therapist with easy access links to the relevant organisations.

Healing with sound can be used to treat all manner of health issues including stress, depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s, dementia, behavioural disorders, cancer, autism and so much more. It can be used on children and adults, as one-to-one therapy or in group sessions – in the home, the hospital, rehabilitation centres and so on.

So, whether you’re just curious about what sound therapy is, or if you’re interested in healing yourself and helping others, I hope you find the information here useful as you progress on your personal path.

Free Courses and Resources

Mildred Ryan – Online Sound Healing Course

Visit the Mildred Ryan website to sign up for a free introductory course on sound healing. This course is for anyone wishing to find out about the basics of sound healing, and how it can be used to improve health and vitality for themselves, friends and family.

The course is split into 3 sections.

  • Section 1 covers an introduction to sound healing. It explains in detail how it works and what the benefits are. You will learn about using intention to heal and the 6 key elements to working with sound.
  • Section 2 covers the healing gift of your voice, how to create healing sounds and how to send sound to different parts of your body.
  • Section 3 covers singing bowls – some of the different types, how to choose them, how to play them and how to create a sound bath.

Single single bowl and malletThe course itself is divided into 6 video lessons and there is a downloadable e-book which summarises the course content. There are practical exercises to build your confidence and experience and there are 2 audios included as well – one is a guided relaxation and the other is a sound bath.

When you have registered for the course you are also invited to join the Facebook Sound Healing group which could be useful for connecting with like-minded people, general support and any questions you may have moving forward.

When subscribed to the Mildred Ryan email list you will also receive occasional bonuses as well as ongoing support.

There are other paid courses available as well as CDs, MP3s and Mildred’s book “Golden Steps to Inner Peace, Happiness and Enlightenment.” However, there is no obligation to purchase anything. As Mildred herself says, she just wants to spread the word and share this course globally – to the more people the better.

This course is a good starting place and a well delivered introduction to healing with sound.

The Sound Healing Academy – Free Courses

There’s a small selection of free sound healing courses available through the Sound Healing Academy. Click here to find out more.

Set of tuning forks used for sound healing The Sound Healing Academy has been providing sound healing training since 2003 and donates 10% of its annual profits to it’s associated charity The Sound Healing Foundation.

There is no obligation to make a purchase through the website. The academy’s mission is “to spread the benefits of sound healing throughout the world, especially to people and regions where health is chronically challenged.”

Overall, another good introduction to the basics of sound healing.

Paid courses….

Microphone with sound waves on the wall in the bacjkground

Centre of Excellence

If you’re looking to step it up a few notches, The Centre of Excellence offer over 1,000 online courses. These cover different subjects including complementary therapy, life coaching and fitness and wellbeing to name just a few. Any of these can be completed in your own time without having to worry about deadlines if you have other commitments. For sound healing, they offer the following…

Sound Therapy Diploma Course

No previous knowledge or experience of sound healing is necessary for this course. It’s recommended for anyone who wishes to find out more about the subject, or for therapists who want to learn how to incorporate sound healing into their existing practice.

The course is split into 8 modules with an assessment at the end of each.

  • Energy – and the science behind healing, including quantum theory
  • Healing With Sound – including entrainment and cymatics
  • Beyond Listening – including sound waves and understanding our ears
  • Chakra Energy – and chakra sounds
  • Voice Therapy – including chanting and mantras
  • Gongs and Forks – how do they work?
  • Drums and Bowls – making sounds and how to heal
  • Therapy in Focus – including becoming a sound therapist.

This course is also available as audio only priced at £10. See website for details.

Headphones and person writing sheet music

Music Therapy Course

Requirements are a background in music if this course is for you. Alternatively, if you, a friend or loved one are about to undertake music therapy, this course is recommended so you can gain a good understanding of what it is and how it works.

This course is split into 9 modules, with an assessment at the end of modules 1-8.

  • What is Music Therapy – covering some of the history and how it is used
  • Models of and Approaches to Music Therapy – including types of therapy and contemporary frameworks
  • Some Interventions to Music Therapy – on working with clients and improvisation
  • Music Therapy for Mental Health – and behavioural issues
  • Music Therapy for Children With Autism – including an understanding of autism
  • Research in Music Therapy – why it’s important and what the future holds
  • Music Therapy and General Medicine – including pain relief
  • Real Life Experience and Cases – including learning disabilities and dementia
  • Course Overview including next steps.

Each of the courses (Sound Therapy Diploma and Music Therapy) :

  • Cost £147, with course length of approximately 150 hours
  • Legs and feet of someone sitting on a stack of books studyingAre level 3 courses, awarding 150 continued professional development (C.P.D.) points upon completion. (This is a standard across the UK whereby most professions require their employees to keep their skills and knowledge updated on an ongoing basis.)
  • Are registered with the Complementary Medical Association (C.M.A.), and you can apply for membership to the association when you have completed.
  • Award you Centre of Excellence and Continued Professional Development certificates upon completion.
  • Offer a Certificate of Achievement and Learner Unit Summary from ABC Awards. (One of the leading organisations providing support and services to the education sector in the U.K.) – available by request for an additional £15.

Becoming a Professional Music Therapist

If you’re interested in becoming a Professional Music Therapist, you will find an overview below for qualification criteria. Actual requirements vary from country to country so I’ve included links for easy access to some of the major organisations’ websites.

Generally speaking, you will need a degree or equivalent in music in order to be accepted on a specialised music therapy education programme e.g. a postgraduate degree.

Man playing the guitarIf you don’t have a formal music qualification, you will need to demonstrate a high level of competency in music and have a relevant qualification such as an undergraduate degree or equivalent in teaching, social work or something similar.

Most education providers will prefer you to have 1-2 years relevant work experience – paid or voluntary – when accepting you on a course. Music Therapy courses are generally 2 years full time with a requirement to complete 1,000 hours plus of practical / clinical experience either before or after the course.

Upon completion of your postgraduate degree or equivalent, you will be expected to register – and remain registered – with the relevant governing body in order to practice professionally.

Click on the links below for more info :

For the U.K.

The Health and Care Professions Council (H.C.P.C.) and The British Association for Music Therapy (B.A.M.T.)

For the U.S.A.

The American Music Therapy Association (A.M.T.A.) and The Certification Board For Music Therapists (C.B.M.T.)

For Canada

The Canadian Association of Music Therapists. (C.A.M.T.) and Canada’s Higher Education & Career Guide

Worldwide

The World Federation of Music Therapy (W.F.M.T.) and  The International Society For Music Education (I.S.M.E.)

Conclusion

These are just some of the many courses that are available but I hope this article has given you a good idea of what to expect from different levels of training. If you’re so inclined, why not take advantage of the free resources that are available, and please share with others who might also be interested.

If you’re considering going further into sound healing, check out the Centre of Excellence for more in-depth programmes.

Music and sound therapy can be very rewarding, whether just for yourself, for friends and family, or as a professional career. I hope that whichever level you’re interested in, you find what you’re looking for to help you progress. Do let me know how you get on or leave your questions and feedback below. I would love to hear from you.

Thanks, Jane.

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