From Hobby to Professional Practice: Honouring the Depth of Sound Bath Facilitation Work

There’s something truly beautiful about the growing interest in sound. More people are picking up singing bowls, gongs and exploring the power of vibration and presence and I understand why. Sound touches something deep within us. As this interest grows, so does the need for clarity and responsibility to honour the true depth of Sound Bath Facilitation.

This blog is about answering the question all sound facilitators should be asking themself: What does it really mean to be a sound practitioner? What are we offering when we work with people in ways that affect their nervous systems, emotions, and sense of safety?

Honouring the depth, presence, and responsibility

What does it take to be a Sound Bath Facilitator?

There’s a growing belief that being intuitive or musical is enough to be a sound bath facilitator - while I respect this perspective and do not dismiss self-taught practitioners, I argue there is more needed if we truly want to go deep into this work. I was once a self-taught practitioner and this is often how many of us start, but as I went deeper I saw my own limitations and learnt the benefits of being supported by others. When we choose to work with people, especially in ways that affect their wellbeing, intuition and musicality alone isn’t enough. If someone takes the self-taught path, it still calls for deep commitment: consistent study, real experience, honest reflection, and a willingness to keep learning.

Owning and playing a gong or singing bowls doesn’t make someone a sound bath facilitator. This is a field that involves much more - supporting the nervous system, holding space for others, understanding group dynamics and emotional safety, developing skills and self awareness. It asks for more than the occasional practice; it asks for depth, presence, and responsibility. Sound facilitators need a proper education in this field as well as a commitment to their own self-development. This means working with your own nervous system, self awareness, sensitivity and empathy. 

There’s nothing wrong with beginning from a place of curiosity or exploring sound as a hobby. In fact, it’s a beautiful starting point—I’ve been there too. But if we want to be seen and respected as sound bath facilitators, we must treat the work with the same level of care and professionalism we’d expect from any other field. Once we choose to work with people—and especially to support them in their rest, regulation, or recovery, we must understand the responsibility that comes with that.

Just like we expect a yoga teacher studying anatomy and physiology and undergoing a path of professional training - In the same way, we should expect sound practitioners to invest in developing the skills, knowledge, and understanding that this work truly requires.

Shift From Self Expression to Holding Space.

Once we decide to take sound bath facilitation more seriously and begin offering sessions more widely a shift must occur.  When others come to us seeking rest, support, or relief, we carry a different kind of responsibility. If we want to be truly professional, if we want to hold space for others safely and effectively, a greater commitment is needed. The true depth of sound bath facilitation should be taken  seriously. That means putting in the time to study, practice, reflect, and grow. At that point, it’s no longer just about self-expression, it’s about the health, safety, and well-being of others.

Are you ready to take the step from hobby to holding space with skill and wisdom?

Then join my 6 month Trauma-Sensitive Sound Bath Facilitation Training to earn a professional diploma and learn the skills necessary to create safe healing spaces. Sign-up here.