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About Us

The International Sound Therapy Association is comprised of individuals interested in the benefits of sound and vibration including but not limited to: sound therapists, musicians, healing practitioners, music therapists and medical professionals. Speakers and performers connect with other like-minded individuals & organizations. ISTA is dedicated to increasing awareness of sound healing techniques through community and educational outreach, workshops, concerts and conferences. Read our Mission Statement below and see how ISTA can benefit you!

About ISTA

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Learn about our
mission and values

P.O. Box 12131
Augusta, GA 30914

Alison Mills-Long Playing Himalayan Bowls

Mission Statement

The International Sound Therapy Association’s purpose is to promote the benefits of therapeutic sound by providing an educational forum and activities for sound therapists, musicians, healing arts practitioners, and the general public.

ISTA provides a local forum for the dissemination and sharing of leading edge educational information and research on sound therapy modalities and new ways to use ancient therapies, in order to advance the understanding of the therapeutic benefits of music, sound and vibration.

Sound Practitioner Using A Singing Bowl To Treat Others Cropped

What is Sound Therapy?

Sound Therapy is defined by ISTA as:

“The application of sound to the full body or to a specific part of the body, from electronically-generated sound sources, or from musical sources, as therapeutic support by a credentialed Sound Therapy practitioner.”

– International Sound Therapy Association
Healer Demonstrating The Effects Of Sound Therapy On A Patient Cropped

Events and Outreach

As an organization ISTA is dedicated to bringing you the best in sound healing, experience, and therapy through our community outreach and events. 

ISTA Board of Directors

Don Simmons
Don Reed Simmons

Don Simmons

President, Board of Directors

Don Reed Simmons is a pioneer in the world of Sound Therapy and has been the President of ISTA since 2009. Simmons’ journey in Sound Therapy began years ago growing up on a farm listening to sound of cows mooing in the early morning. It was that very sound that soothed his nerves when he found himself in a life threatening hospital moment in his his early 20’s. After many years in radio as an announcer and the film industry as a producer/director, Simmons took a deep dive into his passion of helping others.

With ISTA, Simmons has taught Sound Therapy to over a thousand students through the years. He created GB2, (Gongs, Bells & Bowls) an outreach program for ISTA; and the Sacred Sound Ministry, a program teaching the power of Sound as a prayerful, healing modality. He has co-hosted numerous Sound Conferences since the inception of ISTA and has performed at countless venues, performing and teaching the Power of Sound, from churches, to Hospice Care Centers, to Parkinson’s hospital care centers, to cancer support groups, to children’s autism centers and many, many more.

Having trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Thich Nhat Hanh, and a Hawaiian Shaman Spirit Guide, Simmons has been a life long meditation practitioner, teaching meditation, mindfulness and compassion with the use of Sound as a modality of relaxation, balance and wellness since 1994. He has been a speaker many times on the subject of Meditation and the power of Sound.

To discover more about Don Reed Simmons you can find information on his website:

Website
Mandara Cromwell
Mandara Cromwell

Mandara Cromwell

Founder, Board of Directors Chair

Mandara Cromwell is the Founder and Board Chair for ISTA (The International Sound Therapy Association), producer of Cymatics~The Science of Sound and Vibrational Healing Annual Conference, CEO and President of Cyma Technologies, Inc., and 2013 Nominee for the Thomas Edison Award for Innovation in the fields of Science and Medicine for the AMI750®.

Mandara continued on her sound journey after college, traveling to India to study Sanskrit chant, yoga, Ayurveda and meditation. Years later she was introduced to the world of Cymatics with the meeting of Dr. Peter Guy Manners.

Mandara Cromwell lectures on behalf of the International Sound Therapy Association—an organization dedicated to increasing the public’s awareness of the power of our thoughts and words, and sound in our environment. ISTA is also dedicated to promoting therapeutic sound modalities to the healing world.

Website
Beth A. Snyder
Beth Snyder, CCHt

Beth A. Snyder

CCHt, Vice President

“The Pain Of Life Is Inevitable, The Suffering Optional”

– Buddha

Beth A. Snyder, CCHt is a certified Clinical, Transpersonal & Interpersonal Hypnotherapist and Certified Sound Healer. Beth studied at The Institute of Interpersonal Hypnotherapy and has over 550 hours of comprehensive State-Licensed hypnotherapy education. She holds certifications from The American Council of Hypnotist Examiners, Sound Healers Academy and is a Master NLP Practitioner.

A lifetime learner, Beth continues to study the bodymind connection and participates in continuing education yearly. Beth’s undergrad studies in Communications from Ashford University, coupled with career experience as a public speaker and as an executive working for corporate giants, have afforded her a unique and compassionate approach.

Her personal experience with chronic pain, anxiety and a desire for a more fulfilling life led her to hypnosis. After many years of practicing mindfulness and self-hypnosis on her own, she wanted to bring this incredible transformative modality to others.

Hypnotherapy provides others with the self-empowerment to achieve their personal best. Facilitating a powerful change in others is simply Beth’s greatest joy.

Website
Natalie Brown
Natalie Brown

Natalie Brown

Musician & Sound Therapy Teacher, Education Director

“As a lifelong musician and longtime music educator, music and sound have always been a passion of mine. By journeying into sound and holistic healing I have discovered a rich and powerful tool to help others and I hope to share this knowledge, empower individuals and the community.”

–Natalie Brown

Composer, educator, sound healer and multi-instrumentalist, Natalie Brown, has traveled the world performing, recording and teaching music. She was trained classically, starting violin at age 4 and has taught high school orchestra for 14 years. She is the founder and operator of Sounds Heal Studio, providing one-on-one and group sound healing sessions and workshops as well as practitioner training through the International Sound Healing Academy.

Most recently she completed Nada Yoga (Yoga of Sound) teacher training in Rishikesh, India. Natalie’s goal is to share the benefits of sound healing and help others use sound for self-care, personal growth and to heal.

Website

ISTA Code Of Ethics

This code of ethics is a summation and declaration of acceptable, ethical, and professional behavior by which all members, certified practitioners, and instructors agree to conduct the practice, teaching, and business of Therapeutic Sound. I agree to uphold the ethical goals set forth in the following. I will:

Conduct myself with compassion and respect for the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person. The primary commitment is to the client / student, whether an individual, family, group, community, or population.

Do no harm in thought, word, and deed.

Encourage diversity actively by respecting all clients / students regardless of age, physical limitations, race, creed, gender, ethnicity, religious affiliation, politics, sexual orientation, or social status.

Be honest in all professional interactions, conduct myself in a conscientious manner, maintain honest and accurate records, hold in confidence personal information and use judgement in sharing this information.

Continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, maintain a commitment to education and personal development, make relevant information available to clients, colleagues, students, and the public.

Recognize the scope of practice, when appropriate refer clients / students to seek alternative advice, treatment, instruction, or direction.

Create and maintain a safe, clean, comfortable environment, with high standards of personal hygiene on all levels, physical, mental, emotional, and energetic.

Respect and honor all persons, refrain from words and actions that constitute sexual harassment, gossip or politics. Never engage with any sexual conduct involving clients / students.

Surrender to something greater than ourselves. Create harmony within, to relationships, to the environment, and to others. Where there is harmony (harmonic resonance), consciousness can expand, leading us to a natural revelation of insight into the nature of being, and joy naturally arises.


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