In Conversation With Josephine
Why I created Sound Treatments.
It's interesting when you're given some questions to answer, words spill forth and some interesting and truthful things are revealed..
The room and the moment
1. Walk me through the first five minutes of a 1-2-1.
They will arrive with ease, having parked for free, walked up the drive following the fairy lights and through the entrance gate. They step into the cosy studio, instantly feeling calm as aromatherapy fills the space. They hang up their coat and I welcome them with herb tea.
2. What's the most common thing someone says to you when they arrive?
'Oh this is beautiful' · 'It's like a Tardis' · 'It smells amazing in here' · 'Oh wow, look at your bowls and gong' · 'I feel at home' · 'I never want to leave'
3. What does the studio smell like? Sound like before the session starts?
Diffusers, candles and sage fill the space, instantly bringing you into a peaceful place. Mindful and present. The studio is quiet, tucked away in my beautiful courtyard garden with a trickling water feature.
4. What do people do in the first few minutes of lying down?
I invite them to sit on the comfortable plush sound-bed and pour them some herbal tea. Candles flicker by the fire, and I invite them to share how they are — energetically or spiritually — and how they'd like to feel. I get them to connect with their bodies, finding compassion and self-love for themselves. We work on a word of intention, and maybe find a visual place in nature to help them stay grounded and not with their thoughts.
The sound itself
5. What do you actually play, in what order, and why that order?
There is no exact science — usually you build the session, so no 'bigger' sounds are played until the client is settled in and resting deeply. But each session is different. I tap into my intuition and ability to read the energy of the client, like Reiki; I listen to what the client needs energetically. This might be the drum played steadily over their heart, or a Tibetan bowl placed on their belly so it can ring out and soothe them. Other times the crystal bowls might support them for 40 minutes to an hour. The deep 90" wind gong I use creates radical transformation, allowing me as a practitioner to often see images and visions which relate back to my client and their journey. The gong helps deep rest arrive if the client is willing to let go. Depending on the client, I then move onto body-work, using the rainstick, hammered Tibetan bowls, weighted tuning forks and free tuning forks to balance the body and create flow and alignment, using the meridian system from TCM. Chimes are often used at the end of the practice, to bring them joy and lightness and help them return back into the room.
6. What's the moment in a session when you can see someone let go? What changes in their face or breathing?
You can feel an energetic change when someone has dropped in — the breath becomes rhythmical, steady and peaceful, not always deep but easy. I can pick up on energy getting stuck by how my instruments, especially the crystal bowls, are responding to the client. When someone is holding on or thinking a lot, you can feel it internally and energetically. A beautiful thing happens when a client drops in deeply: I am greeted by insights, visions, truths, and flow state, which means time disappears.
7. Do you ever change what you're doing mid-session because of what you're sensing from them? Give me an example.
Yes, although I've been doing it for so long that I often am guided towards an instrument and it lends itself well. However, I can change when I need to. If someone is a chronic overthinker, there might be some 'safety' in their thoughts — the mind keeping them busy so they don't have to let go and feel their emotions. The bowls I use are potent but not loud, and I might need to turn to the gong or straight to body-work, especially the weighted tuning forks, to help them fully let go and immerse themselves.
The bespoke difference
8. If two people book the same slot — one 1-2-1, one bespoke — what's actually different about what you do?
A sound treatment is just that — we use sound as a healing tool, and the session is curated the same. But a bespoke booking can be by request. A client might like 30 minutes of Yin or somatic movement, followed by a guided meditation, into a full soundbath. It's about the client already knowing what they might need. Plus the session is longer. Set-up takes longer and requires a little more consideration.
9. Tell me about a bespoke session where you built it around something specific. What was going on for them, and what did you choose?
Grief. It is a complex thing, but something, sadly, I know very well after losing my father in 2020, followed closely by my Nan who I was close to. I have clients come in who find it hard to access their grief, as it can feel too big when holding it on their own — but who also don't want to keep on talking about it. Sound can help us process big things, feel what needs to be nurtured, reflect and heal without having to re-visit the trauma. Often tears arrive before or after, but sometimes they don't. You can be met with peace, a deep connection, a truth and love. Having a deep knowledge of the journey of grief, and the fact it never ends, helps my clients feel understood.
I also support women through their pregnancy, feeling held, safe and connected to their baby. This often results in me recording meditations and soundbaths for them during labour and leading up to pregnancy.
Other clients are often people who struggle to slow down, who are care givers, who struggle to accept help and self-love.
10. What's the extra 30 minutes for? Is it more sound, or more talking, or more silence?
We sip gently on tea, I use aromatherapy, we talk gently — or it simply gives them the time they need to arrive back into the 'real world'. Doing very deep nervous system work requires great care.
11. Have you ever told someone they'd be better off with a group option? When?
There can be real beauty in resting in a group or being in a community. If we are new to the practice, or our spiritual journey, a 1-2-1 might feel a bit overwhelming. When working with sound it can be wonderful to practice all together, then reflect and hear other people's reactions to the sound while we share tea and vegan treats.
What changes for people
12. What do people say in the first minute after a session ends?
'Wow' · 'What just happened' · 'Oh my gosh, thank you' · 'Where did we just go' · 'I feel so relaxed' " I had no idea I was holding so much'
13. What's the most common thing they report in the days after?
The best sleep they've had in months or years, more clarity, a sense of presence and awareness. Coming home to themselves. Self-awareness. Witnessing the beauty. Bravery and self-worth. Deeply peaceful. Reduction in pain and tension. A sense of ease.
14. Tell me about a client or two where the change was obvious to you. What was different about them the second time they came?
I have had clients who have been coming to me for a few years. Sound is not linear; every session is different because it reflects like a mirror where they are currently at. What does happen is the body and mind remember — they know the sounds, so the nervous system responds quicker. More profound insights are found. I will also say most consistent clients start changing their lives: they leave relationships and jobs that aren't serving them, they find bravery to do what they love, and their environment starts to change. They step forwards onto a new path, one where they are more authentic, able to love themselves better and in turn give their amazing light and love back into the world.
15. What do regulars say they come back for? Is it the sound, the rest, or you?
It's a combination of a number of things: it's our relationship, the sharing, the space we get to both sit in honestly, away from the noise or rush of the outside world. They get time to check in, to notice, to grow and expand their awareness. They get more in tune with their journey, finding more honesty and truth. They build a relationship with sound; present awareness is built upon, stress is reduced, and emotions are felt without judgement.
16. Has anyone told you something surprised them — something they didn't expect a sound session to touch?
They didn't realise I could pick up on so much. Some visions I have seen have been mirrored in the card they pull after the session. I find phrases or words that arrive during the session can leave my clients speechless. They didn't realise how immersive it is — but maybe also how challenging. There is nowhere to 'hide'. Sound and spirit working as one, you have to be willing to trust. It's also about realising perfection and being willing to witness your experience each time as a different journey.
Who it's for
17. Who is the 1-2-1 not for?
It is for those who are sensitive to sound and might struggle in a group, or get distracted by breathing, noise or sleep sounds. It can be for those who have suffered trauma and a group setting will not suit them, and they might leave feeling worse than when they arrived(if something came up ina. group that couldn't be contained safely). A sound treatment is tailored to the individual, so we can fine-tune it, to leave the client feeling well, grounded and safe.
It is for those willing to have an honest dialogue with Josephine, so she can support you in the best way possible. It is for those struggling to sleep, feeling lost or unsure about the next steps, struggling with grief and loss. Those who just need some time in the space alone and free from anyone else's energy.
18. What's the most common reason people give for hesitating before they book?
They aren't sure what it will involve and why it's different to a group — why pay more for the same outcome or result.
19. What do you say to someone who's nervous about their first one?
I have been working with people my whole life, and been running this business for 11 years. I go out of my way to make clients feel safe, supported, unrushed and witnessed. I believe I see myself in my clients — as someone who has suffered with mental chatter, the tendency to overthink and catastrophise. I have experienced huge losses and stress. I understand the human condition and meet it with mindful compassion, rather than this ideal of 'levelling up' so often seen in the industry.
You
20. Why do you do this work?
I feel at home here. For a long time I ignored my abilities to see beyond sound, not sure how to sell it or say it. I want to bring people the things that I also need myself; my heart feels what they feel and what they need. I do believe I've been placed here to ride through this life as a healer. When I am able to help others, it is a homecoming. A truth. Sound has been part of me since I was 3 — starting as a dancer at 3, rhythm moving me to bop up and down as a baby, and to start singing at 7. When I am working with music, sound, or movement, I am home. My heart is in alignment. I am here to serve.
21. What did you have to learn the hard way about holding a space for one person?
It's been a long road of learning, and no matter how much training you do, it takes a long time to really arrive. I had one client who was not honest with me after a 1-2-1, and she left feeling unsettled. I felt so sad after this experience, as there was time afterwards to check in, and I always say to reach out, but she didn't. Ultimately I cannot tell people what to do, but I have now built my WhatsApp to support my 1-2-1 clients. I share links and meditations with them after the session and make sure they have a direct communication route to me if they need to share.
22. What do you want someone to feel as they walk out of the door?
Free. Peaceful. Deeply connected. In alignment. On the right path.
The practical ones
23. What's the actual difference in your energy between running a group and a 1-2-1?
Both require energy, but the focus needed to tap into one person's specific energy requires a particular skill. I now realise I cannot do more than 3 private sessions in a day.
24. What do you wish people knew before they booked?
That this experience can be life-changing.
25. If someone asked "what will I get out of it?" in a lift, what's your honest answer?
Gosh. Complete nervous system reset (shift out of chronic fight or flight), better sleep, self-love and compassion. A better understanding of their inner world. Relief, freedom, peace. Guidance and clarity. Joy. Relaxation.
-------
1-2-1 Sound Treatment
One person. One room. An hour and a half of sound built entirely around you.
1 hr 30 min1 h 30 min
£59
19 Biscay Close, Littlehampton, West Sussex, BN17 6SW
Book No
People leave reporting the best sleep they've had in months, a quieter mind, and a body that's finally let go of something it had been holding. No experience needed. Everything is provided. - The 90-Minute Sound Treatment — step by step Before you arrive Free parking on-site Follow the fairy lights up the drive to the entrance gate
Arrival Step into the cosy studio: aromatherapy, candles, sage Hang your coat; Josephine welcomes you with herbal tea and water Soften into a plush sound-bed and share how you are — energetically, spiritually — and how you'd like to feel Connect with your body, find compassion and self-love Settle on a word of intention, and a place in nature to return to when thoughts get busy The sound Chosen in the moment for what you need, which may include: Drum, played steadily over your heart Tibetan bowl placed on your belly Crystal bowls, supporting you for 40 minutes to an hour Deep 90" wind gong Body-work: rainstick, hammered Tibetan bowls, weighted and free tuning forks, working the meridian system of TCM Chimes to close, bringing joy and lightness and helping you return to the room
Afterwards — 10 to 15 minutes Tea, aromatherapy, gentle talk — or simply quiet Time to arrive back into the real world before you leave What's included Plush Sound-bed, blankets, bolsters, pillows, eye masks Herbal tea Everything provided — bring nothing What to wear Something comfortable you can lie down in After your session WhatsApp access to Josephine Links and meditations shared with you A direct route to reach out if you need to share something Good to know
No experience needed You don't need to be able to meditate You don't need to believe anything in particular Josephine sees no more than three private clients a day
Price: £59 ·
Duration: 90 minutes · Where: Echo Retreat Centre, 19 Biscay Close, Littlehampton BN17 6SW
Comments