How to Use Music and Sound for Healing by Krylyn Peters, MC, LPC, CLC, The Fear Whisperer Author Speaker Coach Singer/Songwriter www.krylyn.com
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~ Red Auerbach
About Krylyn Peters, The Fear Whisperer Author Speaker Coach Singer/Songwriter When I was a child, I didn t have much of a voice. I was invisible, forgotten, neglected, lonely, and confused. My family was torn apart by alcoholism, undiagnosed mental illness, abuse, neglect, and secrets. In my family I learned how to be a good girl by not making waves or questioning, doing what was expected of me, stuffing my feelings, and not outshining my mother. I learned that my voice didn t matter, so I stayed quiet, compliant, and hidden in the shadows. In order to survive, I developed some healthy and not so healthy coping skills. I became an expert in what DOESN T work, which led me to find out what does. Growing up, songwriting was my escape, my refuge. I often call it my drug of choice, as it was my positive addiction growing up and a way for me to channel my angst. I not only got to get away from the chaos of my family, but also got to tap into thoughts and feelings I wasn t able to articulate without the use of music. As I got older, I came to really appreciate the process of and healing benefits of creativity. I created a process, Finding Your Voice: Using Music, Sound, and Songwriting for Healing (formerly known as Songwriting Therapy ), which I have shared with clients and mental health professionals since 2003. I ve written hundreds of songs, and released my first CD, Into the Fire, in 2008, which showcases songs of validation and hope inspired by my work as a psychotherapist. I also founded and host an annual Creativity and Wellness Summit that allows me to bring together experts from around the world who share their best creative strategies for healing. Professionally, I was drawn to the helping professions. I got my bachelor of arts in psychology and my master s in counseling. I became a licensed psychotherapist and certified life coach and have worked for 13+ years helping people to deal with the effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse, learn to manage depression and anxiety symptoms, practice more effective communication and coping skills, and learn creative ways to deal with fear, burnout, and stress.
Through my own healing journey over the last 25+ years and the work I ve done with clients, I ve discovered a lot about how to help others move past the barriers to happiness and success. I ve learned: There is no one size fits all approach to healing, that some tools and techniques work for some of us and not others. Healing is not a one-time event but rather an ongoing process. Profound healing often comes from small and subtle shifts in our perspective. Creativity is the cornerstone of all healing. Fear is not as scary as we make it out to be. You cannot wait for things to be perfect in order to feel calm. There s always something to be grateful for. Suffering is optional. Every experience, every disappointment, every betrayal, every hurt prepares us, strengthens our voice, and brightens our light. Greatness cannot emerge without preparation. I truly believe that all I ve been through on my journey has been my preparation to help others. I believe we all have a calling, which typically emerges from intense personal challenges. As The Fear Whisperer, I know what has held me back, and still holds me back sometimes, and I m able to help others tame their fears and get out of their own damn way so they can step into their greatness. Are you ready to listen to your voice, step out of the shadows, and be who you truly are? I d be honored to be a part of your journey. Find information about how to work with me at www.krylyn.com/workwithme. www.krylyn.com
1 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing Music and sound can be such powerful tools for healing. We use them without thinking about it most of the time, but have you ever really stopped to think about the music and sounds you hear every day? Have you ever made the connection between what you listen to and what you hear with how you feel? Most of us haven t. But I bet you know what music you like to listen to and what you don t. And what sounds are pleasant or get under your skin. That awareness is the first step in starting to make that connection to how music and sound affect you on a deeper level. The next step is taking some action. Below are several ideas for how you can use music and sound consciously for healing. Give one, or two, or all of them a try. As you do, notice how you feel, how your body responds, and what thoughts and images come up for you. You can use the Journal Page at the end of this e-book to write down any of your discoveries. Have fun with it! And please, stop listening to something if you have any strong, negative, physical reactions, such as body pains or nausea. Healing sounds and music shouldn t hurt.
2 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing 1. Listen to your favorite CD or mp3 playlist while getting ready in the morning. 2. Check out your local library where you can listen to and even borrow music to take home. This is a great way to get exposure to different kinds of music. 3. Turn up the volume on some fast, energetic music to set the pace as you clean or exercise. 4. Make up your own songs about things you do regularly, like wash the dishes, make lunch, run errands, pay the bills, get the kids ready for school, etc.
3 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing 5. Use nature as your inspiration and imitate sounds you hear, like birds chirping, wind rustling through the trees, water flowing, thunder clapping, etc. 6. Make drumsticks out of pens or wooden spoons and create your own drum solo, either with or without other musical accompaniment. 7. Get out a karaoke machine and load it with your favorite songs. You can even make up your own words to the melody of your favorite tune.
4 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing 8. If you already have one (or more) popular video gaming systems (Wii, Play Station, Xbox, etc.), check out some of the games geared toward learning and making music, like Guitar Hero, Rock Band, Karaoke Revolution, Music On series, American Idol, etc. 9. Learn to play an instrument or get out that old instrument you used to play. You can find teachers for private lessons at local music stores (that sell and rent instruments) and schools (K-12 public, colleges, and universities). There are also books, software programs, instructional CD s and DVD s, video games, phone apps, and websites that provide assistance with learning an instrument. 10. Dust off your air guitar and rock out to your favorite rock n roll, hard rock, or heavy metal tune.
5 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing 11. Play relaxing, soft music to help you fall asleep. There are many selections designed just for this purpose. 12. While working on a project that requires sustained focus and concentration, listen to instrumental music (music without words). One of my favorite places to find this kind of music and create my own playlist is iheart Radio. 13. Keep road rage at bay while singing in the car during rush hour. 14. Join a community or church choir or band to reap not only the benefits of creating music but doing so with others.
6 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing 15. Attend local live concerts or musical performances held at community centers, churches, community colleges, universities, coffee shops, and other music venues. Check your newspaper or search online for events in your community. 16. Turn off your radio and look for music elsewhere. For all music that is played on the radio, there s so much more that isn t. You can find new music online through places like: www.cdbaby.com, www.itunes.com, and www.positivemusicassociation.com/radio.php, just to name a few.
7 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing Journal Page (sample) Below is a sample of what you might write to help you gain more awareness when using sound and music. There are no wrong answers. There is a blank Journal Page on the next page that you can print out and use. The music or sound activity I participated in was: (you can enter the number from the list or a brief description of what you did): #4: Make up your own songs about things you do regularly, like wash the dishes, make lunch, run errands, pay the bills, get the kids ready for school, etc. How I felt as I did this activity was: A little silly. How my body responded as I did this activity: I noticed myself smiling and laughing as I made up a song about getting my child ready for school. I also noticed I wasn t as tense and stressed out afterwards. The thoughts I had when I did this activity included: I thought I was being a good mom because my child was having fun and doing what she was supposed to. It made our morning routine go by faster. The images I had when I did this activity included: I had images of when I was a child and used to sing silly songs with my family. Other discoveries I had when I did this activity: My daughter really seemed to enjoy this activity too. I realized it s okay to be silly and not so serious all the time.
8 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing Journal Page The music or sound activity I participated in was: (you can enter the number from the list or a brief description of what you did): How I felt as I did this activity was: How my body responded as I did this activity: The thoughts I had when I did this activity included: The images I had when I did this activity included: Other discoveries I had when I did this activity:
9 How to Use Music and Sound for Healing If you enjoyed How to Use Music and Sound for Healing, you may also be interested in: Into the Fire CD and Companion Booklet Looking for songs that promote mental health and wellness? Into the Fire is a collection of 12 original songs inspired by my work as a psychotherapist. Song topics include the therapeutic relationships between client and therapist, being diagnosed with illness (physical and mental), facing fear, change, depression, suicide, borderline personality disorder, etc.. www.krylyn.com/intothefire Songwriting Therapy 101: How to Practice Exquisite Self Care and Relieve Stress with Music, Sound, and Songwriting - Home Study Program Imagine a creative AND fun way to let go of negative thoughts and painful feelings and feel better about yourself. This is a 5-step Home Study Program for practicing EXQUISITE SELF CARE and RELIEVING STRESS using music, sound, and songwriting combined with POWERFUL healing techniques. www.krylyn.com/swt101hs Creativity and Wellness Summit 2014 What s the key to getting unstuck and finding solutions to everyday problems? It s looking at things in a different way. And the absolute best way to do that is through the use of creativity. Listen in as I interview of panel of 16 experts authors, psychotherapists, spiritual healers, and life coaches who share their best strategies for improving your life and business. www.krylyn.com/caws2014 Creativity and Wellness Summit 2015 Listen in as I interview 11 Experts Psychotherapists, Coaches, Authors, and Spiritual Healers who share their best creative tips for healing. Get creative tools for getting unstuck from limiting thought patterns and living a healthier, more balanced, joyful, and prosperous life. www.krylyn.com/caws2015 For a full list of products, visit www.krylyn.com/products. To chat with Krylyn about speaking, consulting, or coaching services, visit www.krylyn.com/worthwithme.