Embedded Files
therapeutic harp
animated interactive storybook
with therapeutic harp
available exclusively through
Apple Books
available exclusively through
Apple Books
Approved for Harp for Healing (CCM-CTM) CEUs and CMCP Level 3 (VAHT) students
“Sandy has created an absolute must-have, 24-page illustrated storybook about the experiences of Dory, a Certified Therapeutic Musician (CTM), and her companion, Mulligan, a service dog who accompanies her at the bedside. This book truly offers the CTM an abundance of tenets, compassionately and knowledgeably worded, to inspire personal growth and to serve as a resource for educating others about the scope of therapeutic music practice. Sandy’s graceful watercolor images highlight how tailoring music can benefit residents, clients, and patients, as well as support both the Therapeutic Musician and the facilities they serve. Her words say it all—all that we have studied, researched, and followed, in the footsteps of the many who knew the power and positive results of music throughout the ages. Indeed, this book will guide you on your journey.”
- Christina Tourin,
founder International Harp Therapy Program (IHTP)
Welcome
Welcome
Sandy Pereira, CCM is a Certified Clinical Musician, a graduate of Harp for Healing, founded by the harp therapy pioneer, Laurie Riley, and accredited by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians. Sandy studied human development and gerontology, with a number of early childhood, gerontology, hospice and therapeutic music certifications, is an active volunteer in the community, and can be found playing bedside harp for Yale New Haven Health at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, CT, Westerly Hospital in Westerly, RI, and for Hospices in Southeastern Connecticut and South County, Rhode Island.
Sandy Pereira, CCM is a Certified Clinical Musician, a graduate of Harp for Healing, founded by the harp therapy pioneer, Laurie Riley, and accredited by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians. Sandy studied human development and gerontology, with a number of early childhood, gerontology, hospice and therapeutic music certifications, is an active volunteer in the community, and can be found playing bedside harp for Yale New Haven Health at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, CT, Westerly Hospital in Westerly, RI, and for Hospices in Southeastern Connecticut and South County, Rhode Island.
Through Ep(ode), Sandy provides mentoring and educational support to Certified Therapeutic Musicians and Harp for Healing CMCP students. Proceeds from these services are donated each year to charities that work to support the appreciation of the harp and bring therapeutic music to communities.
Through Ep(ode), Sandy provides mentoring and educational support to Certified Therapeutic Musicians and Harp for Healing CMCP students. Proceeds from these services are donated each year to charities that work to support the appreciation of the harp and bring therapeutic music to communities.
Visit this link on SubStack, for more resources and reflections for Certified Therapeutic Musicians (CTMs)
"After silence, that which comes the closest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
"After silence, that which comes the closest to expressing the inexpressible is music."
Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley
Sandy Pereira, CCM
Sandy has enjoyed some continuing education certificate programs through Arpamagica, Centro di Ricerca Musicoterapica, (Milan, Italy).
Sandy has enjoyed some continuing education certificate programs through Arpamagica, Centro di Ricerca Musicoterapica, (Milan, Italy).
Visit the Arpamagica music therapy center website through this link to learn more about study with Ludwig Conistabile and his "sound cocoon" deep relaxation technique.
Visit the Arpamagica music therapy center website through this link to learn more about study with Ludwig Conistabile and his "sound cocoon" deep relaxation technique.
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Sandy participated in the beta Modern Day Minstrel certificate course about Medieval Modes: "Meet the Medieval Modes: Uncovering The Enchanting Sounds of the Middle Ages," taught by Dr. Cheryl Ann Fulton.
Dr. Fulton uses the Ruzuku platform to offer this course, and another valuable "Foundations" course for harp players of all levels.
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." Plato
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Want to Learn More About the Benefits of Live Therapeutic Music?
Live therapeutic music, delivered by a Certified Therapeutic Musician, offers a wide range of physical and emotional benefits, supporting overall health and well-being in clinical and therapeutic settings. Here’s a closer look at how live therapeutic music can enhance healing:
1. Deepening of the Breath
Live therapeutic music can initiate a relaxation response that promotes slower, deeper breathing. This can lead to:
• Increased lung capacity.
• Improved oxygen exchange, reducing carbon dioxide levels in the bloodstream.
• Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers stress and enhances feelings of calm.
For individuals with respiratory conditions like asthma, COPD, or those recovering post-surgery, live therapeutic music can help regulate and synchronize breath patterns, supporting diaphragmatic breathing and enhancing overall respiratory function.
2. Increase in Blood Oxygen Levels
By promoting calm and regular breathing, therapeutic music helps improve the oxygenation of the blood. This increased oxygen supply can:
• Improve cognitive function and mental clarity.
• Support cell repair and tissue regeneration.
• Alleviate fatigue and boost energy levels.
Better oxygenation also encourages efficient blood flow throughout the body, which is especially beneficial for patients with circulatory issues or those in post-operative recovery.
3. Increased Endorphins and Pain Reduction
Listening to live therapeutic music can trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. These neurochemicals not only reduce pain but also elevate mood, fostering a sense of well-being. The calming sounds of live therapeutic harp can act as a welcome distraction from pain, offering emotional comfort alongside physical relief.
4. Relaxation of the Body
The soothing effect of therapeutic music can reduce the body’s production of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, inducing a relaxation response. This relaxation leads to:
• Improved sleep quality.
• Reduced anxiety and agitation.
• A greater overall sense of calm and physical relaxation.
This reduction in stress and muscle tension not only aids in post-operative recovery but also helps with stress-related conditions like insomnia, digestive issues (such as IBS), and general muscle stiffness or soreness.
5. Lowering Blood Pressure
By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, live therapeutic music can lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. This effect is particularly helpful for individuals with hypertension or those at risk of cardiovascular conditions, as it supports heart health and reduces strain on the circulatory system.
6. Supporting the Body to Find Its Natural Rhythms
Through a process known as “entrainment,” live therapeutic music can synchronize with the body’s natural rhythms, such as heartbeat and respiration. As patients listen, their heart rate and breathing often begin to align with the steady, calming rhythms of the music. This effect can be especially beneficial for:
• Stabilizing irregular heart rhythms, such as arrhythmia or tachycardia.
• Promoting regular, calm breathing patterns.
NSBTM-accredited Harp for Healing provides certification training for practitioners, both in live therapeutic music (as certified therapeutic musicians called Certified Clinical Musicians, or CTM-CCMs) as well as in Vibroacoustic Therapeutic Music (VATM). These modalities allow certified practitioners to provide a wholistic approach to care that not only addresses emotional well-being but also directly supports the body’s natural healing processes.
Live therapeutic music offers a powerful, non-invasive tool to complement medical treatments, fostering recovery and wellness in patients with a variety of health conditions.
The harp is an instrument of beauty and a powerful tool for healing, providing profound therapeutic benefits for relaxation, reducing stress, inducing restful sleep, and helping listeners release physical and emotional suffering.
Images:
Banner: Ode artist image of Dilling/Douglas Single action lever harp, No. 8, made by Arsalaan Fay, property of S. Pereira, used with permission
Mid-page: Amber “Ceili” in folk gut built by Dave Thormahlen (photo used with permission of clinician)
Lower: Rees Aberdeen Meadows lever harp with cherry blossom soundboard, property of S. Pereira
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