Frequencies of Fortitude: How Associate Teacher Molly Adkins Is Bringing Sound Healing To Colorado’s Military Community

At The Sound Healing Academy, we are continually inspired by the unique ways our global community of teachers and practitioners take sound healing out into the world. Today, we are shining a spotlight on our Associate Teacher and sound healing practitioner in Colorado (USA), Molly Adkins, and the profound, life-changing work she is doing within the military community.

Nestled near the rugged beauty of Colorado Springs, a region with a deep military footprint, Molly is opening a sacred, safe sanctuary for active-duty service members, veterans, and military families using the intentional science of therapeutic sound and vibration.

Bridging Ancient Medicine With Modern Military Needs

"Approximately 80% of the reasons why people visit the doctor today are connected to stress," Molly notes. For veterans dealing with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), anxiety, and physical discomfort, sound healing acts as a gentle, non-invasive reset.

Military life requires immense mental resilience, hypervigilance, and physical fortitude. However, the accumulation of operational stress, trauma, and a constant "high alert" state can leave the nervous system locked in a chronic fight-or-flight response.

Molly deeply understands that talk therapy alone isn’t always enough to reach deep-seated trauma or the subconscious blocks that trap stress in the physical body. Armed with an extensive musical background, including a bachelor’s degree in Voice, a master’s degree in Ethnomusicology, and years of master-level study in vocal therapy, alongside her trusted credentials as a Sound Healing Academy Teacher and Certified Intuitive Life Coach, Molly found her true calling in translating the magic of sound into grounded, accessible somatic healing.

Through her specialized Military Sound Healing sessions, she helps service members find what they need most: a profound, guilt-free pause.

Creating A Safe Harbor In Colorado

What was the initial spark or moment that led you to focus your sound healing practice specifically on veterans and active-duty service members?

“I've always been drawn to helping people through periods of stress, change, and transition. As I began offering sound baths for veterans and welcoming military spouses into my sound healing workshops, I saw how much both groups were carrying. Service members often face the demands of military life, while spouses frequently shoulder their own unique stresses and responsibilities.

What inspired me to continue this work was seeing how quickly people responded when they were given permission to slow down, relax, and focus on themselves for a change. Whether someone attends a community sound bath or a hands-on workshop, sound creates an opportunity to step out of survival mode and reconnect with a sense of calm. Being able to offer that experience to military families has been incredibly rewarding.”

How do you introduce sound healing to individuals who might be sceptical or completely new to the concept of vibrational medicine?

“I keep it simple. Sound affects us every day. A siren can put us on alert. A favorite song can change our mood. A calming voice can help us relax. Once people understand that sound already influences the body and nervous system, they're usually open to exploring it further. I don't ask anyone to believe in anything; I simply invite them to have an experience and notice what they feel.”

Many service members deal with high-stress environments or PTSD. From your experience, how do instruments like gongs or singing bowls help down-regulate the nervous system?

“In my experience, it's not just the instrument that matters; it's how the instrument is used. I utilize specific sound healing protocols that intentionally combine instruments, notes, intervals, rhythms, and sequences to support outcomes such as relaxation, anxiety reduction, emotional release, and grounding.

When someone has been living in a state of chronic stress or hypervigilance, sound can help redirect attention away from racing thoughts and into the present moment. Through carefully designed sound experiences, participants often begin to relax, release tension, and feel more settled in their bodies.

For veterans and active-duty service members, even a brief experience of calm can be powerful. I've consistently observed that intentional sound practices help people feel more grounded, relaxed, and connected to themselves.”

Can you walk us through what a typical community sound healing session looks like for your military groups in Colorado? How do you create a safe container for them to truly let go?

“Every session begins with creating a sense of safety. I explain what participants can expect and remind them that they are always in control of their experience. We begin with a guided visualization and meditation to help participants settle into the present moment and transition away from the busyness of daily life.

From there, I guide them through a sound immersion using instruments such as crystal and Himalayan singing bowls, gongs, drums, chimes, and voice. I also intentionally incorporate periods of silence throughout the session. Silence is often where the body integrates what it has experienced and where some of the deepest relaxation occurs.

My goal is not to make anything happen, but to create a supportive environment where people can let their guard down, quiet their mind, and give their nervous system an opportunity to rest and reset. We close with a period of reflection and integration before participants return to their day.”

For other sound healing practitioners who feel called to serve high-stress or trauma-affected communities, what should they keep in mind to remain trauma-informed and supportive?

“Trauma-informed practice begins with creating a sense of safety. Lead with safety, choice, and respect, and never assume you know what someone needs. Give participants options throughout the session and remind them that they are always in control of their experience.

Be mindful of volume, intensity, and the pacing of your session. What feels relaxing to one person may feel overwhelming to another. It's also important to remain present and observant throughout the session. Watch for changes in breathing, body language, or emotional release so you can respond appropriately and maintain a sense of safety for the group.

Remember that your role is not to fix or heal someone, but to create a supportive environment where participants can relax, explore their own experience, and access the body's natural capacity for healing.

Most importantly, continue learning about trauma-informed practices and how the nervous system responds to stress and trauma. The more we understand how to create safe and supportive experiences, the better we can serve the communities that need this work most.”

What is your vision for the future of sound healing within the military and first responder community, both in Colorado and beyond?

“I would love to see sound healing become a more accessible wellness resource for veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families. Not as a replacement for traditional care, but as a complementary tool that supports stress reduction, nervous system regulation, and overall well-being. 

The more we can build partnerships between sound healing practitioners, healthcare providers, and community organizations, the more people we can reach with these supportive practices!”

Learn More & Experience The Resonance

What makes Molly’s work so successful in the military sector is her innate, excellent teaching ability to hold a safe, non-judgmental, and structured container. 

For many of her military participants, a single session provides a level of peace, emotional release, and quietude they haven’t felt in years. It is a testament to the transformative power of sound for cellular and mental recovery.

We are also incredibly proud to have Molly guiding the next generation of sound healers as an associate instructor for The Sound Healing Academy in Colorado. To read more about Molly’s dedicated mission, explore her upcoming events, or book a session, you can visit her website. If you want to train hands-on with Molly in Colorado and discover how you can begin using healing sounds to help your community, check out her upcoming sound healing training workshops.