Introducing BeSound: Transforming Movement into Sound for Therapy and Mindfulness

Welcome to the first in a series of posts exploring BeSound, an innovative app that transforms body movements into real-time sound. As therapists, we're always looking for new tools to enhance our practice and deepen our clients' experiences. BeSound offers a unique opportunity to do just that by adding an auditory dimension to movement-based interventions.

What is BeSound?

BeSound is a mobile app that uses motion sensors to convert physical movements into various sounds. This is called an audiomotor feedback, and it can be used to elicit specific imagery. For example, asking your client to swim while offering them water sounds will spontaneously elicit internal images and memories related to swimming, the beach, the ocean.

The app offers a range of sound options, from natural elements like "Water" and "Fire" to more dynamic sounds like "Punches" and "Fireballs". This immediate auditory feedback can help clients become more aware of their bodies and movements, potentially deepening their therapeutic experience, as well as revisit past positive memories or more challenging ones.

How Can BeSound Assist Therapy?

The potential applications of BeSound in therapy are numerous. Here are a few ways you might consider incorporating it into your practice:

1. Grounding Exercises: Use BeSound to add an auditory component to traditional grounding techniques. As clients shift their weight or make small movements, the corresponding sounds can help anchor them in the present moment.

2. Augmented Exposure Therapy: The relaxing audiomotor feedback can be used during exposure session to help your client tolerate the trigger. The sound can be paired with safe, relaxing audiomotor imagery (also known as the safe place protocol).

3. Embodied Emotion Expression: Encourage clients to express emotions through movement, with BeSound providing immediate auditory feedback. This can help externalize internal experiences and potentially intensify emotional processing.

4. Mindful Movement: Incorporate BeSound into mindfulness practices to enhance body awareness. The sounds generated can help clients focus their attention on the subtleties of their movements and improve self and bodily awareness.
   

In future posts, we'll dive deeper into each of these applications, providing step-by-step guides on how to implement BeSound in your therapeutic practice.

Getting Started

To begin exploring BeSound in your practice:

1. Download the BeSound app

2. Familiarize yourself with the different sound options

3. Experiment with how your own movements translate into sound

4. Consider how you might incorporate BeSound into your existing therapeutic approaches

Remember, BeSound is a tool to augment, not replace, your therapeutic skills and knowledge. As with any new intervention, use your clinical judgment to determine its appropriateness for each client.

We're excited to embark on this journey of exploration with you. In our next post, we'll delve into using BeSound for grounding exercises. Stay tuned!

Have you tried BeSound in your practice? We'd love to hear your experiences and insights at felix@besound.io