A dulcet symphony of healing: sound bowl therapy at VA San Diego Healthcare System

In a novel approach to healing, the VA San Diego Healthcare System is introducing a weekly sound therapy intervention to its Experiential and Recreation Therapy Program, offering Veterans a transformative experience to rejuvenate both mind and body. This innovative therapy integrates heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training with the serene sounds of various instruments, including soothing sound bowls, rain sticks, native drums, and gentle gongs.

The Therapeutic Experience

Veterans participating in this appointment-driven, therapeutic experience are invited to engage in an optimal breathing pattern while experiencing environmental and sensory stimulation – lights dimmed for relaxation, Veterans comfortably lying back in lounge chairs, and the use of their VA-issued HRV monitoring devices facilitating a deep, introspective experience. Each element is meticulously designed to create opportunities where Veterans can reconnect with themselves.

Each session begins with setting a personal intention. For example, one might seek to gain insight into a specific challenge or simply to find peace. As the soothing sounds envelop them, Veterans focus on their breathing, ultimately revisiting their intentions post-session. This reflective practice often leads to profound insights and shared experiences among participants.

A Commitment to Holistic Care

This innovative sound therapy embodies the VA's commitment to providing a comprehensive approach, personalized care, and supporting Veterans on their unique paths to healing. The program integrates traditions from various healing arts and blends them into a robust symphony that speaks to the deep-seated needs of those who have served.

The Veteran's Perspective

One such Marine Corps Veteran, Laura Rojas Colin, who lives with pain and PTSD, shared her deeply personal experience. “When I first started coming, honestly, I would get panic attacks every time I went anywhere, including when I first started coming to sound therapy and even to the hospital,” she confided.

But after undergoing several different integrated therapeutic interventions VA San Diego offers, including sound therapy with sound bowls, aromatherapy, and acupuncture in conjunction with a stress-management and well-being biofeedback mobile app, Rojas Colin found solace. “It helps me a lot. It helps me to re-center and ground when I'm feeling stressed, and it helps with my pain,” she remarked.

She continued, affirming the profound impact of these therapies. “Definitely worth it! It's scary, and it's very uncomfortable in the beginning, but the therapists are very person-centered, and they help you advocate for yourself, and they make you feel safe. So, it helps you; it transcends beyond this room – what we're able to do – to our daily life.”

A Sanctuary for Healing

Participants revisit their set personal intention at the conclusion of each session’s sound component. Often, the Veterans share new insights gained and/or share their experiences, fostering a deeper sense of community and understanding among the participants.

Through this novel approach, the VA San Diego Healthcare System continues to champion Veteran health initiatives by offering innovative pathways to address clinical symptoms. Veterans engaged in this program are referred by their mental health provider, complete a structured 3-hour assessment, and have a collaborative treatment plan created to target their clinical goals. Sound bowl therapy is not just a new treatment – it’s a testament to VA’s unwavering dedication to supporting Veterans on every step of their journey ushering them into a healthier future.