June 17, 2026
At The Sound Healing Academy, we are continually inspired by the unique ways our global community of teachers and practitioners are bringing sound healing into the world. Today we spotlight our Associate Teacher and sound healing practitioner in Colorado (USA). Molly Adkinsand the profound, life-changing work she does within the military community.
Nestled near the rugged beauty of Colorado Springs, a region with a deep military footprint, Molly opens a sacred, safe haven for active military personnel, veterans and military families using the intentional science of therapeutic sound and vibration.
Bridging the gap between ancient medicine and modern military needs
“About 80% of the reasons people go to the doctor today are related to stress,” notes Molly. For veterans dealing with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), anxiety and physical discomfort, sound healing acts as a gentle, non-invasive reset.
Military life requires tremendous mental resilience, hypervigilance and physical strength. However, the accumulation of operational stress, trauma and constant ‘high alert’ can send the nervous system into a chronic fight-or-flight response.
Molly clearly understands that talk therapy alone is not always enough to reach deep-seated trauma or the subconscious blocks that hold stress in the physical body. Armed with an extensive musical background, including a bachelor’s degree in voice, a master’s degree in ethnomusicology, and years of master’s study in voice therapy, in addition to her trusted credentials as a Sound Healing Academy teacher and certified intuitive life coach, Molly found her true calling in translating the magic of sound into grounded, accessible somatic healing.
Specialized through her Military sound healing sessionsshe helps service members find what they need most: a deep, guilt-free break.
Creating a safe haven in Colorado
What was the initial spark or moment that led you to focus your healthy healing practice specifically on veterans and active military?
“I have always been drawn to helping people through periods of stress, change and transition. When I started offering sound baths for veterans and welcoming military spouses to my sound healing workshopsI saw how much both groups had with them. Servicemembers are often faced with the demands of military life, while spouses often take on their own unique stresses and responsibilities.
What inspired me to continue this work was seeing how quickly people responded when given permission to slow down and relaxand concentrate on himself for a change. Whether someone is attending a community sound bath or a hands-on workshop, sound provides the opportunity to do so step out of survival mode and reconnect with a sense of calm. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to offer that experience to military families.”
How do you introduce sound healing to people who may be skeptical or completely new to the concept of vibration medicine?
“I keep it simple. Sound affects us every day. A siren can make us alert. A favorite song can change our mood. A soothing voice can help us relax. Once people understand that sound already affects the body and nervous system, they are usually open to exploring this further. I’m not asking anyone to believe in anything; I simply invite them to have an experience and notice what they feel.”
Many service members experience high-stress environments or PTSD. From your experience, how do instruments such as gongs or singing bowls help regulate the nervous system?
“My experience is that it is not only the instrument that matters; it is how the instrument is used. I use specific sound healing protocols that intentionally combine instruments, notes, intervals, rhythms and sequences support outcomes such as relaxation, anxiety reduction, emotional release and grounding.
When someone has been living in a state of chronic stress or hypervigilance, sound can help divert attention from racing thoughts and into the present moment. Carefully designed audio experiences often get participants started relax, release tension and feel more at home in their bodies.
For veterans and active military personnel, even a brief experience of calm can be powerful. I have consistently observed that intentional, healthy practices help people feel more grounded, relaxed, and connected to themselves.”
Can you walk us through what a typical community sound healing session looks like for your military groups in Colorado? How do you create a safe container in which they can really let loose?
“Each session starts by creating a feeling of safety. I explain what participants can expect and remind them that they are always in control of their experience. We begin with a guided visualization and meditation to help participants settle into the present moment and transition from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
From there I guide them through a sound immersion using instruments such as crystals and Himalayan singing bowls, gongs, drums, chimes and voice. I also consciously plan periods of silence during the session. Silence is often the place where the body integrates what it has experienced and where the deepest relaxation occurs.
My goal is not to make something happen, but to create a supportive environment where people can let their guard downcalm their minds and give their nervous systems a chance to rest and reset. We conclude with a period of reflection and integration before participants return to their day.”
What should other healthy healing practitioners who feel called to serve high-stress or trauma-involved communities keep in mind to stay trauma-informed and supportive?
“Trauma-informed practice starts with creating a sense of safety. Lead with safety, agency and respect, and never assume you know what someone needs. Give participants options throughout the session and remind them that they are always in control of their experience.
Consider the volume, intensity and pace of your session. What feels relaxing to one person may be overwhelming to another. It is also important to remain present and attentive during the session. Pay attention to changes in breathing, body language, or emotional discharge so you can respond appropriately and maintain a sense of safety for the group.
Remember that it is not your role to fix or heal anyonebut to create a supportive environment where participants can relax, explore their own experiences and access the body’s natural ability to heal.
The most important thing is that continue to learn about trauma-informed practices and how the nervous system responds to stress and trauma. The better we understand how to create safe and supportive experiences, the better we can serve the communities that need this work most.”
What is your vision for the future of healthy healing within the military and first responder community, both in Colorado and beyond?
“I would like to see sound healing become a more accessible wellness tool for veterans, active duty members, first responders and their families. Not as a replacement for traditional care, but as a complementary tool that supports stress reduction, nervous system regulation and overall well-being.
The more we can build partnerships between great clinicians, healthcare providers and community organizations, the more people we can reach with these supportive practices!”
Learn more and experience the resonance
What makes Molly’s work in the military sector so successful is her innate, excellent learning ability to hold a safe, non-judgmental and structured container.
For many of her military participants, a single session provides a level of peace, emotional release and tranquility they have not felt in years. It’s a testament to the transformative power of sound for cellular and mental recovery.
We are also incredibly proud that Molly is mentoring the next generation of sound healers as an associate instructor for The Sound Healing Academy in Colorado. To read more about Molly’s dedicated mission, discover her upcoming eventsor book a session, you can visit her website. If you want train hands-on with Molly in Colorado and discover how you can start using healing sounds to help your community, check her out expectant sound healing workshops.