We recently connected with Deanne Canieso and have shared our conversation below.

DeAnne, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Back in 2017, I was blindsided by a severe and mysterious autoimmune disease that really made me rethink my life trajectory. I was in the middle of finishing up my PhD, working hard on my dissertation, and juggling a big transatlantic move to Europe with my husband. We’d just moved to Germany when everything shifted. My body started shutting down, and for almost a year, I bounced from one specialist to another, trying to figure out what was happening.

That chapter of my life opened my eyes to the vastness of the universe and the powerful, sometimes painful forces that shape us into who we’re meant to become. There I was, in this picturesque Bavarian town, surrounded by beauty and history, yet unable to walk through the countryside, or even move easily around my home. My condition affected both legs, and my right hand, which is my dominant hand. Any movement led to excruciating pain and required what felt like herculean effort just to move one foot forward. I needed my husband to do almost everything! If I tried to muster up the courage to do it on my own, it would take me at least an hour to gather my energy and then push through the pain and physical limitations.

It is sufficient to say that this time forced continuous moments of deep contemplation. Up until then, I had spent my career in fast-paced environments working in health policy and communications in Washington D.C. for nonprofits, large organizations, and government agencies. I was also in rigorous study on my PhD in health communication. Before that, I worked in the health tech industry in Los Angeles, and even earlier in my career I was a nurse. For me, stress was a way of life. I knew no other method to live and breathe but to be in constant movement. But it was in that time of immobility experienced in the European countryside that my life changed. Incrementally at first. Yet, born through the lessons that debilitating illness can bring, large portions of who I was began to deconstruct to make way for the person I am today.

I spent time doing what people would call, “Shadow Work.” For some that could be defined as the Jungian experience of exploration into our unconscious parts of ourselves. I became infatuated with learning about mental health and self-care. For me, it meant revisiting my own childhood traumas in the silence and stillness of pain and illness. How did I confront this buried part of myself? The illness gave me the time and space to know and understand that I still carried, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in my body, and especially in my heart. Despite seeming so put together, these parts of me needed acknowledgement and they screamed for healing.

I accomplished my healing by revisiting an old friend; something that used to save me when I was in the midst of those traumas as a child, my music. I picked up the piano again, working intuitively at first through the chords I used to play. I sang along as I pushed past the ache in my fingers while tapping the keys, then building my courage, I started to write songs. As a teen, I used to be able to feel my emotions and then improvise my way into a song that reflected exactly how I felt. My illness allowed me the path to bring this cathartic experience back, and it all came back to me like a flood.

As the doctors figured out the right biologic drugs that would decrease my inflammation, I found healing through many avenues where sound plays an important role. I still play the piano today when I need to work through a feeling. I have also expanded into playing crystal singing bowls and other instruments whose frequencies I believe have healing effects on our bodies. Now, you would know me as someone who is really passionate about creating sound bath experiences that are relaxing and grounding, and places us in the stillness and mindfulness needed to make space for our own personal healing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a Certified Practitioner in Advanced Sound Therapies. My journey into this field came from my own personal healing experience, where I rediscovered the power of sound as a profound tool for reflection, clarity, and emotional release. What started as a way to cope with chronic illness evolved into a passion for helping others harness the benefits of sound in their own lives.

Through my sound sessions, I offer more than just a relaxing experience; it’s a healing journey. Sound, for me, bridges the scientific and spiritual realms. On one hand, it can support brainwave entrainment, much like mindfulness and meditation does. On the other hand, it taps into the emotions and memories stored in our bodies, stirring feelings that may have been buried deep within us. Whether it’s the sadness in a love song or the liberation of dancing to a drumbeat, sound has the ability to bring those emotions to the surface.

Every session I offer is unique and personalized. Some people feel transported to serene, natural landscapes, while others might experience long-forgotten emotions. It’s all part of the healing process because I believe the mind and body are deeply connected, and they both possess an innate intelligence for healing. My sound baths create a space where that natural healing can happen, guiding you towards your own path of well-being.

What sets me apart is my deep belief in the power of sound to heal. I am also an energy empath who believes that we may hold on to negative or positive events and emotions that can subdue or energize us. Sound can help support how we want to flow energetically in our lives. I’m incredibly proud of the safe, nurturing environment I create for my clients, where they can explore their emotions and reconnect with themselves. My main goal is to offer a space for your mind and body to realign, using sound as the vessel for that transformation. Whether you’re looking for stress relief, emotional clarity, or a deeper connection to your inner self, I hope to help you through that journey.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

Outside of training and knowledge in sound instruments and frequencies, I believe what’s most helpful for succeeding in this field is having a deep sense of empathy. When working with sound, it’s not just about knowing how to play the instruments or understanding the science behind it—it’s about really tuning into the energy of the person in front of you. Every client brings their own story, their own emotions, and their own needs. Being able to hold space for them, to listen not just with your ears but with your whole heart and being, is crucial.

It’s also about staying open—open to learning, open to the unexpected, and open to the unique healing journey that unfolds for each person. No two sessions are alike, and that’s what makes it such a beautiful and transformative experience for both myself as a practitioner, and my clients. Staying grounded in that openness, while trusting your intuition, is key to truly helping others heal in this field.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Two books that have truly influenced my approach to using sound for healing and how I run my practice are The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. The Alchemist taught me the importance of following your own unique path, or as Coelho says, your “Personal Legend.” In the same way that Santiago’s journey led him to self-discovery and fulfillment, I believe that each person’s healing journey is deeply personal and filled with signs and synchronicities. This idea resonates in my sound practice, where I aim to guide others in reconnecting with their inner wisdom and finding the answers that are already within them.

The 7 Spiritual Laws of Success provided a framework that aligns beautifully with the energy work I do. Chopra’s focus on the Law of Least Effort, for example, reminds me that healing—and success—doesn’t come from force or control, but from being in flow with the universe. In my sound practice, I’ve learned that when I approach each session with openness, acceptance, and trust in the process, both the client and I experience better rapport and connection. The balance of surrendering to the present moment, while still holding the intention for healing, is something I carry into every aspect of my business.

These books have shaped not only my philosophy but also the way I show up for my clients—creating a space where self-directed and personalized sound healing can happen naturally, just like the journeys and lessons Coelho and Chopra describe.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.firelightsound.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firelightvibes