Why I Believe in Incorporating Music into Appointments
Music heals — period.
Before we had words, we had sound.
Before we learned language, we felt vibration.
This is why music-based interventions are central to the healing work I do with creative, intuitive women.
Sound is our first language. And for many of us, it's still the one we understand most deeply.
The Science of Sound and the Soul
From a nervous system perspective, music can regulate, soothe, and activate the vagus nerve — helping us shift from chronic stress or freeze into connection and vitality. Certain frequencies can bring the body into coherence, guiding us out of survival patterns and into resonance.
But on a soul level?
Music reaches the parts of us that talk therapy never could.
It bypasses the intellect and goes straight into sensation, memory, and cellular emotion.
It doesn’t just make you think differently — it helps you feel differently.
Music is a source of comfort and helps us connect with ourselves when connecting with others feels like too much.
Why Certain Frequencies Resonate More Than Others
I believe we’re drawn to specific frequencies because they match something in us — or help elevate us into the next level of alignment. Whether it’s a soft binaural theta wave or an emotionally charged song that makes your whole body ache with recognition, your nervous system knows what it needs.
This is the magic I see when integrating music into somatic therapy, EMDR, and psychedelic-assisted sessions.
How I Use Music in My Work
In my practice, I regularly use:
Binaural beats to support ADHD, focus, and inner journeying
Emotionally evocative soundtracks for trauma processing and EMDR
Safe and Sound and the Rest and Restore Protocols use filtered music to help regulate the autonomic nervous system
Personalized playlists for psychedelic assisted therapy sessions.
Whether we’re processing grief, building tolerance for joy, or softening into stillness, sound is a portal to the world within — and I treat it as such.
If you’ve felt misunderstood by traditional therapy and crave a more embodied, multidimensional path to healing, this may be the missing link.
Ready to explore sound as medicine? Learn more about EMDR, Safe and Sound Protocol, and psychedelic integration therapy on my site and reach out to begin.
Disclaimer: This blog is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or psychological advice. For personalized support, please consult a qualified provider. Music-based interventions are integrative tools and should not replace formal therapy when needed. Ashley K. Whelan is a holistic psychotherapist in California offering EMDR, somatic therapy, and psychedelic integration for women seeking mind-body-spirit healing.
