Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adriana Dobbs. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Adriana, thanks for joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

Well, beginning in 2010, a lot happened; I exited a toxic 15-year marriage, I lost my father to a long and devastating illness, and on top of that, I lost 3 beloved pets, all within a 3-year time. Eventually, my mind, body and spirit started to breakdown and I sought out treatment from various medical doctors. Unfortunately, I saw little results or improvement. After six years of suffering, I was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where an overactive immune system attacks body tissue, in my case, it was my thyroid. I didn’t grasp the immense impact of this autoimmune disease. I began taking thyroid medication at the direction of my endocrinologist but even after a year of taking the medication and changing my diet, I still struggled with severe fatigue, anxiety, and intolerance to stress. I knew I needed something more than conventional medicine could give. I began researching for alternative therapies to help regain balance back in my life and health. When I attended my first sound bath in 2019 with Diana at Soundbath Jax, I could not believe how it affected me; I lost track of time, I had deep feelings of peace and tranquility! The feeling of well-being and refreshment was so impactful it created a vivid memory for me. I noticed that my sleep that night improved dramatically. Looking back, it was a pivotal moment that changed my path. I felt a strong call to explore sound therapy for my overall well-being and it led to a desire to share this journey with others. In 2020 I decide to get my certification through the Vibrational Sound Association. The idea of providing a VST session that gave results similar to a meditative state fascinated me. What I found is that not only did I provide sessions that helped others, but I experience a profound sense of relaxation as I facilitate sessions as well. I am a calmer person that spends more and more time in a relaxed state than in an anxious state. It is wonderful progress to have when anxiety used all of my energy.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Adriana Dobbs and I’m a certified sound therapy practitioner. I started my own business, Serenity Sounds, in 2020, in order to help others that may be struggling to find peace, healing, and rejuvenation, like I was. At Serenity Sounds, I offer individual Vibrational Sound Therapy or VST sessions, as well as private and group sound baths. During a VST session, which is like a massage but with sound, I invite customized therapeutic-grade Himalayan singing bowls to sing on and around the body. These are very special singing bowls and were developed to have a longer sustain or vibration. Through the harmonious tones and direct on-the-body gentle vibrations, my clients experience can range from deep relaxation to meditative-like states. A session holds space for your body to relax and focus its energy for repair, rest, and rejuvenation. My VST sessions also support a mindfulness or meditation practice by easing the mind chatter and expanding your time in moments of stillness. It brings me so much joy when my clients become so deeply relaxed that many fall into a deep sleep. I often hear how they are so surprised by how relaxed they feel from an experience they have weren’t familiar with.

I decided I wanted to expand my sound practice to also offer soothing Sound Bath experiences along with VST. I knew I wanted to offer a restorative experience similar to my first sound bath from Diana. Diana was so helpful in giving me an introduction as to how to invite my crystal singing bowls to sing harmoniously, as well as provide me resources to use in my journey. After that introduction, I found and completed a 3-month Sonic Mastery System course where I gained further knowledge to facilitate and customized sound bath experiences in private and group settings. Using a variety of instruments, including Crystal Singing Bowls, I provide a sound bath experience that immerses the body in soothing sound waves that may feel like they are washing over you. My focus is providing peaceful and calm experiences to support deep relaxation, nervous system regulation and immune system support. The body naturally will fall into rhythm to the slower frequencies and vibrations during the immersion. As the sound bathing experience continues, the heart rate and breath tends to slow down and many clients experience slower brainwave states associated with creativity, deep relaxation, and vivid imagery. 

When I started my journey as a Sound Practitioner, The Sound Therapy Network became an invaluable resource I utilized. It provided resources and community that helped me go through the process of growing my business from the ground up. It also led me to my connection with Becca Laurito of Sonic Mastery System or SMS. Becca is a gifted symphony musician, energy healer and teacher of all things Sound Healing. She is one of my mentors and has helped me a great deal with my presence during sessions. Most of my life I have been a shy and reserved individual. Becca’s system helped me breakout of my shell and give me the confidence to expand my sound practice offerings to include sound baths. The system provides a foundation for musicality and on how to best play my instruments for maximum effect. It taught me how important it is to take care of myself to avoid burn out while I hold space for others. I am now confident to facilitate sound baths in group and private settings. What I learned has provided me a way to explore different ways to expand my sound practice and I’m still eager to learn more. The knowledge and growth I gained through the SMS process has given me the confidence to become one of the facilitators of The Sound Healers Collective. This is a collaborative group of sound healers in Jacksonville that love sharing their gifts while offering unique sound healing experiences with the community. In September 2022, this group offered a Community Sound Bath Meditation in Atlantic Beach, FL as a fundraiser for Yoga4Change that raised over $7000.00. Yoga4Change is a non-profit organization that with veterans, individuals who are experiencing incarceration, youth, and people living with mental health conditions, through a purpose-driven yoga curriculum. It was such a beautiful and memorable event to share the transformative experience of sound therapy while giving back to our community. I feel humble and grateful to be included as part of this group. 

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I would say that Social Media, especially Instagram and Facebook, has been a great way to share with others what sound therapy is and the benefits of sound healing. I found that it provides a platform allowing others to see if sound therapy may be something they want to explore. I’ve also found that collaboration with other sound facilitators has been an invaluable way for me to get to know the community and share my passion.

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

I’ve found that the most impactful resource, outside of sound therapy, has been Dr. Joe Dispenza work. Dr. Joe Dispenza’s work has been life changing for me. After attending my first weeklong workshop I personally experienced and saw (through my Oura ring feedback) the remarkable effects meditation had on my body. I had forgotten the power I had within me to create change in my life. A meditation practice keeps me mindful of my awareness that if we change our energy, we change our life. It helps me spend more time in the present moments versus letting my mind live in the past or future. I incorporate this mindset in my sessions. Sound Therapy embraces this philosophy by a holding space to relax and truly be in the moment of the experience. It is such a beautiful modality that I truly love sharing with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.serenitysoundbathvst.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenity_soundsvst
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenitysoundsvst
• Other: www.yourserenitysounds.com,

Image Credits
Tim Dobbs Velvet Edwards