I received a great question regarding insurance today. Here is my expert advice.
You must be very cautious of anyone promising you will be certified to practice Sound Baths/Gong Baths/Sound Meditations etc. after an online training without any Live content, after a one day “Masterclass” or even a Wknd Intensive. This is particularly true when it comes to working with Special Needs, including working with children, or any other specialised care categories such as in Nursing Homes. Likewise the only one who is likely to call you a “Professional” on completion is the one who sold you the course.
A Professional Sound Therapist in Ireland is someone who has completed an extensive Accredited training course and is part of a Standards and Accreditation Board with an elected committee, e.g. the Association of Sound Therapists Ireland.
If you completed such a course you will be able to buy insurance (they will line up to sell it to you), but if something goes wrong and inevitably it will at some stage, you won’t be covered, nor will you have any hope of a payout without a fully accredited qualification behind you. This could leave you open to not only losing your reputation but maybe even everything you own!
Don’t wait for the “I told you so!”
With the rise in unqualified people holding Sound Baths, and practising “Sound Healing” these days, it has become a very real issue. Likewise are the false advertising claims so please do your research. That logo they display may be a fiction, like the website they constructed to back it up!
Sound Therapy/Sound Healing is a professional vocation requiring years of dedicated study, continuous professional development and, accredited qualifications in order to be properly insured. It pays to be a member of an association like AOSTI where your professionalism is recognised.
If you are a Venue Owner you should be aware of this when renting out your venue for Sound Baths etc. and request proof of accredited certification from the Sound Therapist. It is a requirement for your own Insurance purposes to do so.
Enquire with AOSTI as to the benefits of being a member e.g. their reduced rate Group Insurance Scheme which covers up to 600 Holistic Healing modalities including Yoga, Reiki, Massage etc for its members.
By Carmel Diviney, Celtic School of Sound Healing, Dublin
Association of Sound Therapists Ireland 