Welcome to Sound for Healing Institute!  You have found one of the newest and most innovative approaches to addressing mental and physical health currently available.  Sound for Healing Institute uses a combination of technologies and psychological approaches to address mental health issues through relaxation and guided imagery. 

Research has shown that different psychological and physical states are associated with specific patterns of brainwaves.  For example, when we are wide awake and concentrating, our brainwaves fall in what is called the Beta range of 14 - 30 Hz.  However, very high Beta waves are also associated with pain, agitation, anxiety, and insomnia.  When we are sleeping, our brainwaves are in the .1 to 3.9 Hz range, which is called the Delta range.  Optimal brain functioning for focus and concentration falls in the Alpha and low Beta range, which is somewhere between 8 - 20 Hz.   

Learning to relax our body and mind is beneficial to us because as we learn to master our cognitive state through relaxation, we also improve our brain’s ability to function, and our body’s ability to heal and repair itself.  This is called the “mind-body connection.”  Studies have clearly identified improved immune system functioning, improved focus and concentration, and improved emotional and cognitive states with the daily practice of meditation, and relaxation. 

The second component of this program is the use of combined technologies to enhance the relaxation process.  Research has indicated that cutting edge technology used to deliver sound, at certain frequencies  influences our brain to function more effectively through a process called Brainwave Entrainment.  When our brain is exposed to low frequency sound, our brainwaves will slow down to more closely match the sound frequencies around us.   

This technology is utilized in the program in two ways.  First, in the guided imagery visualization exercises, sound frequencies are embedded in the recording which produces a 4 Hz. pulse. This pulse is interpreted by the brain in such a way that the brain shifts to match the 4 Hz. pulse, thus, enhancing the relaxation response.  Second, using Vibro-acoustic Technology, Sound for Healing Institute uses a sound bed, designed by Biopulsonics, that contains approximately 70 specially designed speakers.  The sound is not audible in that the frequencies are below our ability to hear them.  However, very slow frequency sound waves are received by the body in such a way that the body slows down, and enters a relaxed state more readily.

The third component of the Sound For Healing program, is the use of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES).  CES, administered through Alpha-Stim, uses two earlobe clip electrodes to deliver a .5 Hz pulse.  Studies have indicated this produces a shift of alpha and Beta brainwave frequencies.  This shift produces a reduction in anxiety and depression, and increases the relaxation response experienced by most clients. The CES is voluntary and is not required to gain benefit from the program. 

Finally, the purpose of using brainwave entrainment, vibro-acoustic technology, and CES, is to enhance and improve the primary focus of the Sound For Healing experience.  The primary mission and focus of Sound for Healing Institute is to use relaxation and guided imagery for stress reduction, and to introduce and teach important concepts, coping skills, and tools, for managing a multiplicity of life events, emotional, and mental experiences and/or symptoms, and physiological conditions.  This psychoeducational process may also include interactive exercises in both workbook and recorded guided imagery formats which the individual is able to take home and use to review and practice between sessions. 

Many life difficulties are a result of incomplete or faulty cognitions, coping styles, and perceptions.  There are some very basic principles that, when applied appropriately, have the potential to improve physical, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive responses to stress, life events, and psychological conditions.  The number of self help books out on the market attest to this principle.  What we learn, and use, in our every day functioning has the potential of changing our lives.  Yet, there are many conditions which interfere with an individual’s ability to read, and absorb information, from self help books.   

The Sound For Healing Institute offers access to the best of the self help world, through guided imagery and relaxation, in a pleasurable and safe environment, and within the context of an empirically-based, and psychologically sound program.  The Sound for Healing Institute is directed by a licensed psychologist, who supervises all treatment protocols.  Sound Therapy is a non-threatening, non-invasive tool, that can be used for numerous purposes, including stress reduction, and relaxation, or to accelerate and enhance other therapeutic efforts, such as physical therapy, sleep therapy, pain management therapy, and psychotherapy.  Homework assignments and brief workbook materials are used in some of the programs to provide additional information and improve retention and integration of the material. 

The Sound for Healing Institute is offering an important service to the community by providing a new and innovative approach to mental and physical health treatment and recovery,  designed and supervised under the expertise of licensed professionals, at a very low and affordable price.

Benefits to Sound Therapy:

	Pleasant – Sessions themselves are pleasant, enjoyable, relaxing, and energizing.
	Brief – Changes can be expected within 10 – 20 sessions.
	Practical Learned  Skills – rather than temporary relief from difficulties, SFH offers skills that can be used throughout your life time.
	Empowering – each client is in charge of their own healing process.  The hallmark of this program is that “you become the healer, we will be your back up team.”
	Self-Directed – each individual has a different experience with each visualization script.  The scripts are open-ended enough to give each participant the flexibility required to address their specific situation.
	Empirically-Based – while the research is young, it clearly indicates a lack of harm and potential for good.
	Inexpensive – for the depth of insight and learning that is encouraged by this modality, services are offered at a very low price. Plus, clients interact with a licensed psychologist and trained Ph.D. or M.A. level professionals.
	Multi-Culturally-sensitive – it is a non-invasive approach to life’s difficulties and is congruent with the cultural norms of various cultural groups.

Letter to Doctors