"It was truly amazing to be a part of such a spectacular event and around so many healing people...thank you so very much. I can't ever express the beauty that each and everyone of you shared that night. anytime you need a fire dancer, let me know....I'm so there. Many blessing and much love. Namaste'."
D.R., Tacoma, WA
"The healing gong meditation session with Sha'ari was truly amazing. I felt the vibrations moving through my body and my energy resonating with them. The session was relaxing and invigorating at the same time. I could feel a definite shift in my energy and I felt a release an opening in an area which I didn't even know was blocked. The sounds were beautiful, harmonic, and powerful. I highly recommend the experience to anyone."
A.W., Seattle, WA
"Thank you for putting on the Gong Meditation - I found it to be pretty powerful. That night I got up at 3:45 am with all kinds of ideas running around my head about the transition I'm making. I believe the gongs helped me to see clearly. It was quite amazing."
T.Z., Seattle, WA
"I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Sha'ari for a one on one music therapy session last night. The experience was AWESOME to say the least. Sha'ari has an eclectic collection of instruments and the room is filled with beautiful artwork. Sha'ari tailored the session for my specific need for centering and grounding and it was a powerful experience that left me feeling totally energized. I hope more people take advantage of this extremely talented and delightful woman who offers her gift of music therapy. The benefits are endless!"
C.A., Seattle, WA
About Sha'ari
Inner Listening Therapies
"Your workshop on Music Therapy at the Swedish Cancer Institute was like a breath of fresh air."
E.V., Seattle, WA
"The presenter had a warm, open style of presentation and a superb singing voice…"
S.W., Tukwila, WA
"I hope you feel the praises I’m singing about you!!! You bring so much healing to this world."
M.J., Seattle, WA
What Our Clients Are Saying...
"Emotions are pouring out of me in buckets; and when the session ends, I am inspired to write a poem. And this is only my first encounter…Some studies suggest if may promote efficient electrical activity in nerves and muscles - as well as affect the release of endorphins (the body's natural pain relievers)… and immune system substances…Many of Garfinkel's clients are seriously ill and use the therapy to speed their healing - whether it be physical, mental or spiritual."
"The Power of Music," Houston Life Magazine
Sha'ari Garfinkel is the director of Inner Listening Therapies and a specialist in integrating sound, music and spirituality into psychotherapy. Many of her clients are healing from traumas experienced during adult- or childhood.
Sha'ari is a clinical music therapist, psychotherapist & social worker. She earned a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin College Conservatory and earned her Master of Social Work from University of Houston. While at Oberlin, Sha'ari studied with acclaimed music therapist and author Deforia Lane and renowned french hornist Robert Fries. Later, she completed advanced training in Acutonics with Donna Carey at the Kairos Institute in New Mexico. Sha'ari was awarded the title of Fellow in The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery & Music under the mentorship of late visionary Linda Keiser Mardis. She studied Jewish Shamanic healing and earth-based practices with Rabbi Sarah Etz Alon and Rabbi Gershon Winkler. Sha'ari is certified in MARI Mandala techniques. Under the guidance of Josie Juhasz, Sha'ari became certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in 2019.
Sha'ari plays many instruments including gongs, piano, flutes, conch shell, shofar, guitar and french horn. She studied Balinese gender with I Wayan Sinti and is a devoted sitar student of maestro Ustad Ikhlaq Hussain. Sha'ari has performed french horn professionally and worked for many orchestras and arts organizations including The Phoenix Symphony, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Allentown Symphony, the Federal Way Symphony and the Northwest Mahler Festival Orchestra, among others. Sha'ari has acted as a cantor and lay rabbinic leader in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA-area Jewish communities. A non-denominational minister, Sha'ari officiates weddings for Jewish & interfaith couples.
Her interests in cross-cultural healing and music have taken her to Bali, China, Israel, Turkey, Nepal, Canada, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Peru, Belize, Jamaica, England, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Mexico & India in addition to indigenous communities in Washington, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico and Canada.
Sha'ari has a private practice in Seattle, WA and offers teletherapy in states where she holds a license including Washington, Idaho, Kansas, Connecticut, New Jersey and North Carolina. With over 30 years experience in health care, ER and mental health settings, she works with clients to find their own unique healing paths and listen to their innermost wisdom. Sha'ari remains committed to life-long learning and creative exploration in herself and her clients.
YOU WERE A HIT!! All I heard from patients and family is how wonderful the music was and how it changed everybody from totally stressed to happy, talking, etc., bonded with each other."
D.D., Kirkland, WA
"Music therapist Sha’ari Garfinkel has created a soft, padded room for her work with gongs, flutes and other evocative instruments. Upon entering, I felt I was shedding the trappings of my keyed-up, demanding lifestyle. Under Sha’ari’s guidance and using sound-based relaxation techniques, I was able to spontaneously visualize shamans weaving a protective sheath around me to protect my frazzled nerves from further tension. When I left her womb-like space, I felt my own healing guides had helped me create a buffer zone to protect me from the onslaught of a lifestyle too often defined by cell phones and computers and deadlines."
L.L, Renton, WA
"Thank you, very informative and engaging. I feel more able to justify the use of music therapy in my practice."
N.D., San Francisco, CA
"You are highly knowledgeable and have a passion for the subject."
R.L. Seattle, WA
"The best part of the program was Sha'ari's knowledge, humor, willingness to share wonder with the group and her sharing of musical instruments. Thank you!"
A.R., Seattle, WA
"This has prompted me to want to learn more about this topic and use music in my therapy session."
P.B., North Bend, WA