Private or Group? How to Know Which Sound Session Is Right for You
One of the most common questions I get from people who are new to sound healing isn't whether to try it — it's how. Should you ease in with a group sound bath, or go straight to a private session? There's no universally "right" first step. It really comes down to what you're looking for, how you tend to process new experiences, and what you're hoping to walk away with.
Here's how to think it through.
What a Group Session Offers
A group sound bath is typically a shared experience
…a room full of people, each with their own mat or chair, all receiving the same soundscape at the same time.
Most of my group sessions are small and intimate, capped at 8 people, held right in my home studio.
It's often the more accessible entry point, both in cost and in commitment, and it comes with its own real benefits:
Lower pressure, lower cost. It's a smaller commitment to test the waters, both financially and emotionally.
Collective energy. Some people find that being in a room full of others — even in total silence — adds something to the experience. There's a kind of shared stillness that can feel supportive.
A taste, not a tailored experience. The sound is designed for the room as a whole, not for your specific needs that day — which is part of the appeal for some, and a limitation for others.
One thing that surprises a lot of first-timers: group size actually changes the feel of anonymity, and not in a straight line.
In a very large group
…a big public event with dozens or even hundreds of people, there's a real sense of anonymity. You're one of many, unlikely to be noticed, which some people find freeing.
In small groups, it can occasionally feel like the opposite — with only a handful of people in the room, some folks feel more self-conscious about being seen or heard (a sigh, a shift, an unexpected sound) than they would in either a 1:1 session or a much larger crowd. Neither is wrong — it's just worth knowing yourself well enough to guess which end of that spectrum you'll land on.
Group sessions are a great fit if you're curious but cautious, budget-conscious, or you simply like the idea of experiencing this alongside other people.
What a Private Session Offers
A private session is built entirely around you
…your body, your stress, whatever you're carrying into the room that day. A few things that are different from a group setting:
A conversation first. Before we begin, we talk. What's going on for you, what you're hoping to shift, anything I should know. That shapes the entire session — theme, key, instruments, everything.
Full attention and adjustment in real time. If you're restless, if something's not landing, if you need more space — I can respond to that as it's happening, in a way that's simply not possible with a room full of people.
A more personal environment. Sessions happen in my home studio — comfortable, unhurried, with options like aromatherapy blends tailored to what you need, and (very likely) a visit from my two dogs, Simba and Phoebe, who often settle in for the session itself.
More vulnerability, and more depth. Being the only person in the room can feel more exposing at first — but for many people, that's exactly what allows a deeper experience. There's nowhere to hide behind a crowd, which for some is the whole point.
Private sessions are the right call if you're dealing with something specific — chronic stress, a particular life transition, sleep issues, grief — or if you simply want the experience shaped entirely around you rather than a general audience.
Questions to Ask Yourself
If you're still not sure, a few questions can help point you in the right direction:
Do you want this tailored to something specific, or are you exploring in general? If you have a clear "why" — anxiety, insomnia, burnout, a big transition — a private session lets that shape the whole experience. If you're mostly curious and open to whatever comes up, a group setting is a lower-stakes way to explore.
Are you comfortable being the only focus in the room — or, alternatively, one of a large crowd? This one isn't as simple as "group vs. private." Some people find one-on-one attention relaxing; others find it easier to let go when they're one of many in a large event. Interestingly, a small group can sometimes feel more exposing than either end of that spectrum — with only a few people around, some folks feel more aware of being noticed than they would completely alone or completely anonymous in a crowd. None of these reactions say anything about whether you're "doing it right" — they're just useful information about what will actually help you relax.
What's your budget and time comfort level right now? Group sessions are generally a lower-cost, lower-commitment way to start. If you're not ready to invest in a private session yet, a group sound bath is a completely legitimate — and often just as powerful — starting point.
Do you already know something's "stuck"? If you're carrying something specific — a stress pattern, a sleep issue, grief, a transition you're moving through — a private session gives that the room and attention it needs in a way a group session generally can't.
There's Also a Third Option: Private Group Sessions
Private and group aren't mutually exclusive alternatives. Some people want the shared, communal feel of a group session — but with people they choose, not strangers. That's where a private group session comes in: a session booked just for your group, in a setting and for an occasion that's entirely up to you. Birthdays, retreats, bachelorette weekends, team offsites, family gatherings — I've set up sessions in a wide range of spaces to fit whatever the occasion calls for. You get the collective energy of a group experience, with the intimacy and privacy of knowing exactly who's in the room.
If that sounds like what you're after, take a look at the gallery below to get a feel for the range of settings these sessions can take place in — homes, outdoor spaces, event venues, and beyond.
There's No Wrong Door In
Whichever you choose first, you're not locking yourself into anything. Plenty of people start in a group setting and later move to private sessions once they know they want something more tailored. Others start private, because they know exactly what they're hoping to work through, and later enjoy the communal feel of a group sound bath as a different kind of experience entirely.
The most important step isn't which one you pick — it's simply beginning.
If a private session feels like the right fit for you, you can book here. If you'd rather start with a group experience, you can see upcoming sessions and events here.
