Harp Therapy is an art based on the science of sound. It is live music tailored to a patient’s immediate needs using healing musical elements, vibrations, resonance, entrainment, and intention. It is not a form of "entertainment" - a patient is quietly assessed at the beginning, and throughout the session and a series of musical improvisations is applied, based on heart rate, consciousness, respiration, eye-flutter, perceived mood, and other information.

The harp has the widest range of pitches of almost any instrument, and can be tuned to 15 different keys. Sometimes modes are used, expanding healing possibilities to an additional 56 musical scales. The harp can vibrate the whole body and different emotions and physical sensations may surface. Once, nearly every culture in the world used music to heal; some still do. Unfortunately, Western culture abandoned music as a healing modality in the Middle Ages.

As a therapeutic musician using harp and handpans, I have found a way to help people heal. Healing is not about "curing" - healing actually means to make whole. Harp Therapy is another healing modality combined with occupational therapy, pharmaceutical therapy, aromatherapy, psychotherapy, and other methods.

Patients are often amazed at the results of listening to harp music. He or she simply has a pleasant unique musical experience in which sound as music is spontaneously created and modulated when necessary for the sole purpose of easing pain and promoting rest. There are no pills to take or diets to follow as in other therapies. Occasionally, depending on the situation, I introduce a small instrument that a patient may accompany me if s/he wishes. No musical ability is required.

Harp Therapy can help reduce and minimize:

Pain
Insomnia
Anxiety
Depression
Stress
Grief
blood pressure

It can also help to regulate pulse and respiratory rate, and enable a person to better process emotional and physical challenges.

Harp Therapy is beneficial from birth to end of life:

Birth (including premature babies)
Hospitalized children
Intensive care
Oncology
Special children and adults
Rehabilitation
Nursing homes
Palliative care/hospice/end of life vigils