The Sound of Experience
Established for 15 years, Sheila's course is the most comprehensive gong training in the world
The College of Sound Healing Gong Practitioner Training Course© is a CMA-certificated training programme over five weekends, over the period of one year. This comprises 70 hours formal training, plus practise, coursework, reading and mentoring in-between sessions. Completing this course gives you the information, knowledge, tools and qualification - acceptable anywhere in the world - to be a Gong Practitioner able to treat clients in a therapeutic setting both on a one-to-one basis or in groups. The Course was written for the College by Sheila, who is the senior College Gong tutor, and advisor to the College on all matters gong-related. She started running the Course for the College in 2010 and teaches it each year to new groups of students.
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The world of the Gong and its use for healing is a fascinating and relatively little-known subject. This Course aims to bring together and impart as much relevant knowledge and wisdom, ancient and new, as is possible in the time allotted for the Course. Some of this knowledge was lost in the mists of time and has been rediscovered during the last century. The Gong teachings are extensive and need time for participants to assimilate. This is best done in a Course run over the period of a year, to allow more comfortable integration of the powerful energies involved.
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Participants are guided throughout the Course by a highly experienced, caring, supportive tutor and assistants, and encouraged to do their own reading and studies between sessions to further promote their training. Sheila only takes a certain number of students on the Course each year, so that she has the time and opportunity to mentor each one individually. Students are allotted Coursework and case studies between the formal sessions to enable them to practise working with clients, thus honing their skills and techniques, and gaining confidence and expertise before they venture into the world to offer their services professionally. Doing the Course over the period of a year also enables the participants to embark on their own healing journey with the gongs - to do their own inner emotional and self development work - so that they can clear much of their own "stuff" and raise their own energy vibration before they start to treat others. This is essential when you are working in a therapeutic capacity - we need to be able to provide a strongly held safe, supportive space for our clients, and know that when the gongs inevitably do their clearing work during a gong bath, that we can be fully present to support clients in their healing process.
Each participant will need to have the use of their own gong by the 2nd weekend session. Guidance on choice of gong will be given during Session 1.
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A Few of Our Graduates
“This Course has been absolutely incredible! I cannot say enough words about how amazing it has been. Sheila’s style of teaching is wonderful.. her passion, knowledge, care, dedication and all round wonderfulness has surpassed any training I have every had! I have learnt so much, grown so much, and this training, with Sheila’s gentle guidance and support, has completely transformed my life in so many ways. Nothing has been too much trouble, and Sheila has given feedback and guidance in-between sessions in abundance. Pauline and Liz have been incredible too. What an amazing team and an amazing Course! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping me on my journey to a better place”
Debbie B
"I cannot recommend Shelia Whittaker and her Gong Practitioner Training course enough. Learning to play the gong or letting the gong play me has been a profound journey of reflection and growth. I was called powerfully to play the gong in 2017 and really didn't know why but wanted to learn from a world-class expert as anything less would have not allowed me to grow in a way to best serve future clients. The course covers the practical and profound aspects of working with gongs and stimulates growth and self-development throughout. Sheila teaches with a high level of integrity and ensures that when her students graduate from this course they take with them professionalism and a deep sense of reverence for this sacred healing instrument."
Helen F
“It’s the most transforming Course I have ever done. I feel the Universe has opened up to me, both the External universe, and my internal universe. I found the Course informative and it has helped me develop as a person. The case studies helped build my confidence to do group gongbaths, and I would never have thought a year ago I would be booking venues and holding group sessions. I feel I am finally on the right path, and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Sheila’s exceptional teaching. Thank you.”
Sara M
“I will always be grateful to Sheila for all she has taught me in this year. She balanced gentle guidance, freedom and in-depth knowledge perfectly, building participants’ confidence and skills throughout the year in the most gentle, kind and wise manner. Thank you for your patience and kindness”
Philip A
“Such a fantastic Course. Really valuable and in-depth training. Felt encouraged, accepted and held throughout the year. Great structure to the Course, venue, trainers, speakers, gongs, support between workshops and information. I am starting to integrate gong work with my already established hypnotherapy practice to great effect”
Mel C
Dates
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​CURRENT COURSE
2024-25, started October 2024
Session 1 - Sat & Sun October 19th & 20th 2024
Session 2 - Sat & Sun January 11th & 12th 2025
Session 3 - Sat & Sun April 5th & 6th 2025
Session 4 - Sat & Sun June 28th & 29th 2025
Session 5 - Sat & Sun October 11th & 12th 2025
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Bookings closed : we are fully booked for this current Course which started in October.
Please go to the College of Sound Healing website to find other tutors trained by Sheila to teach the year-long, five-weekend Gong Practitioner Course.
If you really want to study with Sheila, you may want to consider doing one of the two-day Gong Intensive Workshops : dates and details on the Workshops and Events page.
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Pricing
GONG PRACTITIONER COURSE FEES
The tuition cost of each Gong Training weekend during the 2024-25 Course is £290 (£1450 in total for all five Course weekends).
{To book online for the 2024-25 Course, go to the Shop & Book page, or contact Sheila directly.
You can pay for the whole Course at once, or each session separately in advance as we work through the Course.
A deposit of £100 secures your place on the Course, with the balance for Session 1 and each of the remaining Sessions due a month beforehand.
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We do have a lot of inquiries, and can get booked up quite quickly, so early booking is advisable. Sheila keeps student numbers fairly low in the Course to ensure that she can give sufficient individual attention, support and mentoring to all participants.}
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Please check the Booking Policy at point of sale.
Location
The Gong Practitioner Training Course is held in a super rural workshop space in an idyllic setting near Honiton in East Devon over five two-day weekend sessions during the year, including a Graduation weekend - totalling 70 hours formal training.
Each day, Saturday & Sunday, we work from 10am until 1pm with a short mid morning break, take an hour for lunch, then resume work from 2 until 5pm including a short tea break.
The course is non-residential; however, if you would need overnight accommodation, a local B & B information list can be provided – please inquire. There is some B & B accommodation available at the venue for those who book early enough.