Inspiring Conversations with Adriana Dobbs of Serenity Sounds

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adriana Dobbs.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path to sound therapy began long before Serenity Sounds existed. Over ten years ago, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, followed by Raynaud’s — autoimmune conditions that taught me the importance of truly listening to my body. Stress, fatigue, and overwhelm were constant companions, and I realized I needed to find ways to regulate my nervous system and allow myself to fully rest.

I discovered sound therapy during my own healing journey. The first time I experienced the resonance of crystal singing bowls, something shifted — my mind finally quieted, and I felt deeply rested. At that time, I could sleep through the night, yet my thoughts would race endlessly. It wasn’t until later, after a neurologist consultation revealed that many of my symptoms were driven by anxiety, that I began exploring more intentional ways to manage it.

While medication can play an important role, I knew I needed to make meaningful lifestyle changes. Sound baths became one of the most supportive practices in that process. The relief and calm I found through sound encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and share this work — so that others navigating burnout, chronic stress, and the fast pace of life could experience sound therapy as a pathway to balance and renewal.

In 2022, I began facilitating community sound baths, and by 2024, I opened Serenity Sounds Studio — a brick-and-mortar space in Jacksonville, FL. What began as a personal journey of self-care has grown into a sanctuary where others can restore balance, release stress, and reconnect with themselves.

Each sound bath I facilitate — whether for one person or a room full of guests — is guided by intention, comfort, and accessibility. My mission is simple: to offer a peaceful space where people can rest, heal, and remember that they are worthy of calm.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been incredibly meaningful, but certainly not without challenges. As a first-time business owner, I’ve had to learn and grow in many directions at once — blending the heart of wellness with the realities of entrepreneurship. I’ve been intentional about utilizing the resources our Jacksonville community offers, including completing the JAX Bridges Cohort program through the Chamber of Commerce and continuing classes through the Jacksonville Women’s Business Center. These experiences have been invaluable in helping me better understand the business side of running Serenity Sounds while connecting with other passionate local leaders.

At the same time, I’ve had to learn the art of energy management — balancing continued education, facilitating sound therapy sessions, managing business operations, and tending to my own health and well-being. Living with autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s means that self-care isn’t optional; it’s foundational.

One of my ongoing personal challenges has been navigating life as an introvert with a history of anxiety. Standing in front of a group or speaking publicly once felt overwhelming, yet this work continues to gently stretch me beyond my comfort zone. Each sound bath, presentation, and community event has strengthened my confidence and reminded me that vulnerability and authenticity are just as powerful as poise.

There have been moments of fatigue, doubt, and recalibration, but each challenge has taught me something about grace, resilience, and the importance of pacing. Every obstacle has ultimately deepened my understanding of the people I serve — those seeking calm, restoration, and nervous system support in the midst of life’s constant demands.

While the road hasn’t been smooth, it’s been filled with purpose and growth. I’m continually grateful for the opportunity to share this work, to represent the healing power of sound in my community, and to remind others — and myself — that progress doesn’t require perfection, only presence.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Serenity Sounds?
Serenity Sounds was founded from both personal experience and a deep passion for helping others — especially those navigating chronic illness, caregiving, and the ongoing stress of modern life. We specialize in Sound Baths and Vibrational Sound Therapy (VST) — sound-based modalities designed to help regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation.

Our focus is rooted in the science of sound — understanding how frequencies and vibration influence the parasympathetic nervous system, turning down the body’s “fight or flight” response and allowing energy to be directed inward toward rest, recovery, and healing. During a sound bath, brain waves begin to entrain, or synchronize, shifting from an active, alert state into slower frequencies associated with relaxation, meditation, and dream-like states.

As I learned more about this process, it helped me understand why I found sound therapy so comforting — and why my nervous system continues to find balance after being out of alignment for so long. That awareness deepened my connection to this work and continues to guide the way I facilitate each session.

Accessibility and comfort are at the heart of everything we do. As a certified sound facilitator who also lives with sound sensitivities and autoimmune conditions, I design each experience with mindfulness — ensuring that every participant feels safe, supported, and deeply restored.

At Serenity Sounds Studio in Jacksonville, FL, we offer group sound baths, private sound baths, and 1:1 Vibrational Sound Therapy sessions, where Himalayan singing bowls are placed directly on or around the body to release tension and restore harmony. We’re also mobile, facilitating sound therapy at corporate wellness events, fundraisers, retreats, and conferences — helping teams and communities experience the benefits of rest and nervous system regulation together.

Our Signature Sound Baths reflect the heart of our mission to support the nervous system and nurture the whole self through sound:

Nourish Your Sparkle — created especially for caregivers, helpers, and those who give endlessly to others, this restorative experience helps refill your cup and reconnect you to your inner light.

Lavender Dreams Sound Bath — our beloved signature session that combines lavender aromatherapy and gentle sound for deep nervous system regulation, supporting stress release, calm, and emotional balance.

We also offer Curated Memories Sound Baths for Two, celebrating life’s special milestones — birthdays, anniversaries, or new beginnings. These personalized experiences include thoughtful touches and keepsakes, allowing you to carry the memory long after the final sound fades.

I’m especially proud of the partnerships that have expanded access to sound therapy within our community. Since May 2023, we’ve been honored to share sound baths at the Baptist Wellness Centers in Riverside (Downtown Jacksonville) and Nocatee, creating opportunities for more people to experience this practice in supportive wellness environments. Our collaboration with VIPCare has also allowed us to bring sound baths into senior living communities, introducing residents to new ways of finding calm, connection, and relaxation.

What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is the sense of peace and connection that fills each space we create. Guests often share that they feel grounded and calm the moment they walk in — a reflection of the care, science, and heart that guide every Serenity Sounds experience.

At its core, Serenity Sounds is about offering people the opportunity to slow down, tune inward, and remember that rest is not a luxury — it’s a pathway to balance and well-being.

How do you think about happiness?
Happiness for me is wellness — or as I often say, those days when I can honestly feel human. It’s having the energy to participate in life rather than feeling exhausted or needing to sleep my days away. It’s being able to share the work I love while maintaining a healthy balance between my business, my family, and the simple joys that make life meaningful.

It’s a continual work in progress, but I’ve learned to celebrate those moments of alignment — when I can be fully present, connected, and well. I still remember the feeling I had during my very first sound bath: that deep exhale of relief, a spark of curiosity, and the quiet thought of “That was different… and exactly what I needed.” I see that same look on others’ faces now, and it fills me with gratitude every single time.

I’m also especially happy when people are inclusive and thoughtful, even in small ways — like offering gluten-free menu options or a special gluten-free treat. Those simple gestures remind me that awareness and compassion can make the world a little kinder and more accessible for everyone.

Pricing:

• 45- minutes Group Soundbaths starting at $35
• Private Soundbath at the Studio begin at 150,00 based on number of participants and duration
• Vibrational Sound Therapy starting at $135
• Floating Serene Soundbath on Zero Gravity Chairs $55
• Curated Memories Serenity for 2 Soundbath start at 185

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yourserenitysounds.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenity_soundsvst
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SerenitySoundbathsvst
• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adriana-dobbs-911585352