A gong immersion is my preferred way of explaining what it’s like to be surrounded by the sound of gongs. It is the same as a gong bath. Both terms tell you something about the feeling of being bathed in sound as a sort of fluid. It doesn’t involve a water tank or flotation device.

A ‘sound bath’ is the generic term, but I specialise in gongs, which is a deeper training modality. Gongs are the focus of my work and so I specify my sound baths as gong baths.

I do not currently work with crystal bowls.

Many, if not most, people find gongs relaxing and calming, especially when they are played considerately. Less is more. That said, how we receive sound is always changing. One bath might be relaxing, another might be upsetting. One person will love it, someone lying next to them will have a totally different experience. Sound tends to get into our knotty bits, meeting us where we need it, and it’s not uncommon to feel tearful or emotional after an immersion. Or to be unsettled by certain sounds. I had a death vision in a bath once! It is not uncommon to experience an altered state as our brain waves slow (as in sleep).

But if we can stay open to the process and not reject the difficult parts then we may find the deeper benefit of sound work that sits below ‘simple relaxation’. Just as therapy isn’t about making you feel great every session, it is in service to a deeper process of personal growth.

This is very personal to each person. A gong immersion will usually have an immediate affect and you may notice you sleep a lot better after an immersion, go to the toilet more, as well as dream (notes your dreams!)

But many people will feel the affect in the days and weeks after as well. You may recognise ongoing feelings of relaxation or stress reduction. A general sense of peace and harmony. A reduction in negative feelings about a situation that usually annoys you. These affects are generally increased with regular immersions as part of your energetic and body-based practice.

In the same way as you might visit an acupuncturist, you can use sound as part of your life whenever you need it.

I make no claims to sound ‘healing’ despite the college of my accreditation. This is the same as with my psychotherapy practice. Instead, I invite you into the process and together we will see what arises. I hope that it is healing for you. You may find sound healing, you may find it a valuable part of an ecology of practices towards healing, you may just find it enjoyable (which itself can be healing!) It is not my place to label your experience.

I began sound work as a way of connecting with something more physical and non-verbal. Sound work does not depend on verbalisation. With this in mind, I use my voice for opening and closing sessions and for discussing intentions in one to one work, but it is not a talking therapy. Likewise, you do not have to share anything in words with me. You can simply book, arrive, enjoy and leave. As the practitioner, I try and keep my talking to a minimum and let sound do the talking.

That said, if you want to talk after the session, we can do that! I am an experienced psychotherapist and approach my work with this sensitivity and empathy.

I will often integrate a bit of gentle movement and breathwork into the opening of a gong immersion, because I find this helps me (and others) settle and open. I have worked with movement for a long time.

I will occasionally draw on other correspondences such as what is happening astronomically at the time of our session. I might also work with tarot, archetype cards, rune stones and even poetry to supplement the sound. These are all methods for supporting deep resonance and self-enquiry, not as a method of divination.

You are welcome to ask for a tarot reading or similar when you book.

I usually ask that you bring as much comfort with you as you can! BYO nest!

The minimum is a yoga-type mat, though you can also bring a chair if it’s comfortable. Then there are pillows, blankets, socks etc. A drink. And an eye pillow if you have one (though I will usually have a spare or two).

I do not provide yoga mats and blankets, trusting you will likely have your own preferences for materials. Since Covid most people prefer to bring their own.

Gong baths are usually offered on the floor because most recipients enjoy the vibrations that come through the floor - it’s like a back massage. However, you are welcome to bring your own chair if you would prefer or you are worried about being on the floor. I recommend the reclining ‘garden chair’ type which allows you to tip backwards and relax more deeply.

For most people, a gong bath will be perfectly safe, though there are some contraindications listed below, for which sound therapy is not advised/proceed with caution:

Acute mental illness

Severe osteoporosis

Immediately after any surgery especially, hip/joint operations or bone-related.

Epilepsy

People fitted with pacemakers

Advanced stages of cancer

Early pregnancy (first trimester)

Ménière’s Disease

Tinnitus (type dependent)

If you are unsure and wish to discuss a medical condition first, then please do just drop me an email before booking.

Some people with older style hearing aids may be asked to turn them off before an immersion (especially group) as they can whistle and cause interference.

Group places start at £15 per person. I mainly offer small-medium groups and try to give everyone a good amount of space on the floor.

One-to-One’s (60 mins) start at £50 and £80 for couples. Longer sessions are also available.