Gong therapy

When you are battling a substance or behavioural dependency, the idea of using sound to help may seem like a new-age, “hippie” idea that won’t make any real difference. However, gong therapy has been proven to provide tranquillity amidst the mental noise that addiction can cause, lighting a pathway to peace and concentration. At Oasis Runcorn, we incorporate gong therapy into our comprehensive rehab treatment programmes, instilling a new sense of peace and clarity in our clients and helping them to stay focused on their healing journey.

A woman playing a gong

What is gong therapy

Gong therapy is a type of sound meditation that uses the vibrations from a gong to help calm and heal your mind and body. It comes from ancient traditions used by many cultures over thousands of years to treat various problems and improve overall health. The idea is that your body begins to match the sounds and vibrations made by the gong, which helps you enter a state of flow. This flow state can encourage relaxation, creativity, focus and overall healing – all of which are important for overcoming addiction.

Even though gong therapy comes from ancient practices, modern science has shown that sound therapy can be effective in treating many conditions, including substance and behavioural dependencies. For example, a study on Tibetan singing bowls, another common tool used in meditation and therapy, showed that they significantly helped to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, depression and anger. These feelings can both cause and worsen addiction, so managing them is a key part of treatment.

Some people say gong therapy feels like a massage without physical touch. It doesn’t just stimulate your sense of hearing; it affects your whole body. During gong therapy, you only need to lie back and relax while the therapist plays the gong, creating soothing sound waves. You have to sit back and let the waves wash over you, making it a deeply relaxing experience.

What happens during gong therapy in rehab?

Gong therapy sessions, usually held at the end of the week, provide a great way for our clients to relax and unwind after a challenging week of rehab therapy and workshops. Each gong therapy session lasts about an hour and is led by our expert gong therapist, who uses different gongs to make a variety of sounds and tones.

During a gong therapy session, you will usually lie down and get cosy while the therapist starts to play the gong, filling the room with a mix of sounds and vibrations. As the session continues, the therapist might ask you to change positions to ensure you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible. In fact, many of our clients even end up falling asleep because they are so relaxed. Difficulty sleeping is a common symptom of addiction and withdrawal, which can be a hugely restorative process.

The benefits of gong therapy for addiction recovery

Apart from helping to reduce stress and bring calm, gong therapy has many other benefits for those recovering from addiction:

Reducing depression and anxiety

Gong therapy gives you a chance to just slow down and relax. It creates a safe space where you can face the thoughts and feelings that drive your substance use and harmful behaviours. This can help decrease negative emotions like anxiety, depression and anger, making you less likely to turn to substances or other addictive behaviours to cope.

Improving sleep

Good sleep is really important when you are in recovery, as it can help your body heal, improve your mental and emotional health and give you the energy you need for rehab. Sleep is often affected by the stress and anxiety associated with recovery, but gong therapy can help you sleep better both during the therapy itself and more generally.

Physical, mental and emotional balance

When you first start treatment, you are likely to feel uncomfortable, tired or out of balance. This is because addiction changes the way your brain works, causing a chemical imbalance that affects the way you feel. However, gong therapy can help balance your body again with its healing properties. After a few sessions, many people say they feel more in tune and energised, which helps them focus on their treatment.

Restoring physical health

Gong therapy doesn’t just help your mind; it can also help restore your physical health, relax tight or tense muscles and leave you feeling physically refreshed and relaxed.

Helping you stay in the moment

People with addiction often get stuck thinking about the past or worrying about the future. They can get so caught up in these regrets or worries that they aren’t fully present during treatment or when faced with cravings or triggers during aftercare and beyond. Gong therapy helps you to be mindful and live in the present moment, which can help you better manage your thoughts and feelings to avoid relapsing.

Gong Therapy vs. CBT and Other Therapies

Gong therapy uses the vibrations and frequencies produced by gongs to promote relaxation, emotional release, and mental clarity. It complements more traditional therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and altering negative thought patterns to manage mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and addiction.

While CBT is structured and evidence-based, offering long-term coping strategies, gong therapy provides an alternative, holistic experience. Its resonant sounds induce a meditative state, helping individuals process emotions, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity. Gong therapy is particularly valuable as a complementary treatment, enhancing mindfulness and emotional relief, but does not replace the structured approach of CBT.

How gong therapy complements other therapies offered by Oasis Runcorn

At Oasis Runcorn, gong therapy serves as a powerful complement to the more traditional therapies offered. Gong therapy’s deep, resonating sounds help induce a relaxed, meditative state that can promote emotional release and mental clarity, enhancing the therapeutic process. For clients undergoing counselling, gong therapy can provide a calm, grounding experience, allowing individuals to process difficult emotions or traumas more effectively. It creates a peaceful environment conducive to reflection and introspection, which can be particularly beneficial for those working through complex feelings related to addiction, anxiety, or past experiences.

Furthermore, gong therapy supports the overall mind-body connection by reducing stress and anxiety, making it easier for clients to engage fully in other therapies. It can help to alleviate physical tension, calm the nervous system, and improve sleep—issues commonly faced during recovery. By offering gong therapy alongside other therapeutic methods, Oasis Runcorn ensures that clients have access to a diverse range of approaches that cater to their unique emotional and psychological needs, facilitating a more holistic recovery journey. This combination allows for a balanced approach to healing, addressing both the mind and body to promote lasting well-being.

Begin gong therapy at Oasis Runcorn

Gong therapy at Oasis Runcorn can offer huge benefits for your recovery journey. If you have any therapy questions or are ready to get started, contact Oasis Runcorn today. Your path to sobriety and a happier, healthier life starts here.

Disclaimer:

The availability of therapies may vary across UKAT centres. The specific therapies provided will be determined based on your treatment plan and the programme offered at your chosen facility. All treatments are subject to clinical assessment and programme availability at the time of admission. For further details on the therapies included in your treatment plan, please contact our admissions team.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be religious or spiritual for gong therapy?

No, you don’t have to have any religious or spiritual beliefs to get something out of gong therapy. No matter what you do or don’t believe, the sound of the gong can help you relax and focus on the here and now. All you need is to be open to the experience, trust your therapist and allow yourself to benefit from the sessions.

What should I bring to a gong therapy session?

At Oasis Runcorn, we have everything you need for gong therapy. We suggest you wear comfy clothes that let you move easily and take off anything that might distract you, like noisy jewellery. This will help you lose yourself in the moment and reap the most benefits.

Is gong therapy safe?

Yes, gong therapy is completely safe. The only people with issues are those with electronic implants or pacemakers because the magnetism of the gong could interfere with how they work. But for everyone else, gong therapy is okay for people of all ages and abilities.

How much does gong therapy cost?

Gong therapy is part of your comprehensive rehab programme at Oasis Runcorn, so there is no additional cost.