What Is Harp Therapy?
For centuries, the beneficial relationship between music and healing has been well established. We now have substantial documentation of the responsiveness to and appreciation of music by peoples of all ages and cultures. Music played on the harp has several unique healing properties. The resonance from the strings, including the range of pitch and tonal color, set up an important relationship between the sound and the recipient. Historically, the harp has been a symbol of relief and comfort.
Practitioner graduates of the International Harp Therapy Program use all sizes of harps with the intention of supporting the recipient’s goal of healing. This goal may be emotional, physical, mental or spiritual in nature. The soothing sounds of the harp not only can enhance the quality of life, but create the possibility of interactive work in which the recipient might play the harp. Working with the therapeutic harp is as varied as our clients.
OUR AFFILIATE PROGRAMS AROUND THE WORLD
Please contact our Affiliate programs above for schedule and information on upcoming courses.
Why is the International Harp Therapy Program Unique?
1. The International Harp Therapy Program trains its practitioners in the following areas:
To learn an “enabling language” to help bring out the best in all people (through studies in Psychology and Counseling)
To understand the scientific and concrete aspects of sound vibrations
To develop intuition and be open to asking “What is willing to meet me” from a patient.
To develop a collection of musical tools in which to draw upon for appropriate occasions
To hold the spiritual realm of every being
2. The International Harp Therapy Program endorses a balance between music, medicine and spirituality.
3. Certified Practitioners offer both bedside music (repertoire from many genres) and interactive work with patients.
4. At the core of the program, the practitioner recognizes that each individual has their own Resonant tone, style of musical preference, mood, and their own rhythm. Combining these elements, the practitioner offers the client or patient their own personal musical journey or “their own cradle of sound” to help them in emotional, mental, physical and spiritual healing.
Harp playing relaxes, energizes, soothes, and heals the youngest of children and oldest of adults.
- Releases emotional pain
- Improves short-term memory and attention span
- Increases social interaction
- Builds self-esteem
- Relieves stress
About Christina Tourin and her work
Christina is a music therapist having studied under the tutelage of Barbara Crowe at Arizona State University. Her main focus is CONVERGENCE – bringing together all those who use music, sound and the arts for enrichment and well-being.
Author of the respected and comprehensive book Cradle of Sound: A Harp Therapy Manual, is a second generation harpist, who began playing harp at the age of four. She received her Music Therapy degree from Arizona State University.
She is the founder and director of the International Harp Therapy Program. She has 15 recordings distributed internationally and has performed extensively worldwide.