Do I need training to be a sound therapist?

When I think back to my first ever gong journey, I remember the awe and curiosity I felt.

Attending a gong bath for the first time, I was mesmerized by the instrument.

When the practitioner finished playing, I remember sitting up and looking at this large, circular instrument, wondering, how did she know exactly where to strike the gong?

There were no notes, no obvious markings on its face, nothing to guide her.

I was fascinated by how she seemed to draw sound from it effortlessly. My mind raced with questions. How do you play such an instrument? How do you know where and when to strike?

Later, when I learned that the gong is largely an intuitive instrument, my feelings were mixed. On one hand, I was a little disappointed. If it’s intuitive, does that mean there’s no technique or skill involved? But on the other hand, I was excited, intuition meant that perhaps I could learn to play it too.

In the yoga and wellness space, including sound therapy, the path to becoming a practitioner can take many forms. Some choose to learn through intuition and years of self practice slowly gaining experience, while others, like myself, build upon that intuition and experience deepening their skills with formal qualifications,

The journey may begin with intuitive exploration for self peactice, but we then choose to take it a step further, seeking a more structured and comprehensive foundation through professional training in order to be professionally qualified to work with Client.

For me, it was important not only to find a program that resonated with my personal practice but also one that was formally accredited. This is why I opted to undertake my formal training through the College of Sound Healing, which holds recognized accreditation in the UK. This standing as an accredited body provided assurance to me that the curriculum was comprehensive and met a high professional standard.

In formal gong training, practitioners don’t just learn how to play the instrument, they are taken through the rich history and origins of the gong itself. Understanding where this sacred instrument comes from deepens your connection to its power. Alongside this, many courses also introduce students to other sound therapy instruments, such as singing bowls, flutes, rattles, and shamanic tools. This broadens the practitioner's toolkit and allows them to create more diverse personal and meaningful sound experiences for their clients.

Another invaluable aspect of training is the sense of community that develops among practitioners. In my year-long practitioner course with Sheila Whittaker, I have been able to connect deeply with other gong players across different locations in the UK. Spending a year getting to know my fellow students has offered a network that has become a vital resource, not just for sharing best practices but also for ongoing support and learning for us all. We regularly converse and collaborate, ensuring that our development as practitioners is continuous.

For those of us working in the holistic space, where many are self-employed, this network of friends and colleagues becomes essential. It provides a space to share insights, resources, and new techniques, helping us all refine and expand our individual practices. A deep and thorough training does more than just impart classroom knowledge, it forges lasting connections, creating a community of like-minded practitioners who support each other’s challenges and growth.

When selecting a gong tutor, I sought out a teacher with a deep understanding of both the technical and spiritual aspects of gong work. I have been fortunate to train under two times authour Sheila Whittaker, a well-known and highly respected figure in the gong community worldwide.

Sheila has developed a wealth of knowledge through decades of practice. I also had the privilege of learning from the late Phil McNamara, whose passing earlier this year was a huge loss to the gong community. Phil’s expertise, passion, and vast gong knowledge left a lasting impression on all who met him, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to train under him through Sheila Whittaker.

In addition to my year-long gong practitioner’s course with Sheila Whittaker, I spent some time at the GMT (Gong Master Training) run by grand gong master Don Conrouex.

Don is credited with bringing gong playing to the West in the 1960s, and it was very interesting to meet him in person.

As I embarked on my journey of learning to play the gong, I quickly discovered that while the gong is an intuitive instrument, it still does requires skill, technique, and practice. There are many technical aspects to playing a gong that are important to develop, how to make it sound pleasing to the ear, how to create a balanced and harmonious sound experience, and how to maintain high-quality sound for the listener.

However, learning to play the gong is really a process of learning to step aside and let the right side of your brain take over. Or, as some might describe it, allowing the gong and its vibrations to play through you, rather than you simply playing the gong.

In the words of Sheila Whittaker, “We do not ever master the gong, it is the gong that masters us.”

We are often aiming to drop in into a channelled state when we play, this ‘ flow’ state allows us to connect with the deep and profound vibrations that are produced, which are always uniquely created for the individuals we are playing for.

This ability to drop into an intuitive flow isn’t something that happens the first time you pick up a mallet. It’s a journey that you go on as a practitioner, and a truly good training program will teach that time and space are needed to develop that ability. Alongside this intuitive flow, a strong program will also ensure that you develop the technical skills needed to play the gong as a musical instrument. There is a wealth of knowledge to be learned, understanding which mallets to use, which gongs to select for specific occasions, and the subtle techniques that elevate a sound experience to something truly transformative.

The training I have undergone, including the comprehensive case studies and hands-on client work, was not only about technique. It was also about the personal transformation necessary to hold space for others in a meaningful and grounded way. When you work with a sound practitioner who has pursued accredited training, you’re not just paying for the session itself. You are investing in a practitioner who has undergone rigorous training to provide a safe, transformative experience with knowledge, experience, and integrity.

For those of us who have chosen full and formal sound training, the structure, discipline, and accreditation provide a foundation that supports both the client and practitioner on a deep level.

Ultimately, the decision to invest in formal training was about more than just becoming a better gong player. It was about ensuring that I can correctly hold space for others with confidence, knowledge, and integrity, qualities that I believe are essential in offering a safe and transformative experience for clients.

With the rise in popularity of sound healing and sound therapy over the past decade has come an increase in some truly excellent formal training.

At the same time, as is often the case in an unregulated industry, there has also been a significant influx of courses. These range from short online introductions to weekend trainings, and in some cases programmes that promise a level of mastery that would traditionally take years to develop.

In a time where many people are able to position themselves as experts online, and without a governing body overseeing standards, it becomes increasingly important to approach training with discernment.

I have personally observed, even in recent years, individuals who have only just completed their own training begin to offer courses of their own within a relatively short space of time. It naturally raises the question of whether there has been enough depth of study and experience to support that level of teaching.

That said, I always return to the same point. As clients, we choose practitioners who resonate with us. And as students, we choose teachers who resonate with us.

With increased popularity comes the need to look a little more closely, to take time, ask questions, and ensure that what is being offered aligns with the level of depth, integrity, and experience you are seeking.

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