--- title: "From Burnout to Balance: How Sound Therapy Helped a Hospice Nurse Heal Herself" description: Carrie Oram reveals how sound and energy therapies support emotional wellbeing and resilience for nurses facing stress and burnout in healthcare author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief) date: 2025-09-10T15:22:27.000Z updated: 2026-09-07T12:24:09.958Z canonical: https://richwoman.co/article/from-burnout-to-balance-how-sound-therapy-helped-a-hospice-nurse-heal-herself image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/kxxnajpjmoc.jpg categories: Wellbeing content_type: Profile region: New York publication: Rich Woman Magazine --- What happens when the person always caring for others finally has nothing left to give? For Carrie Oram, a hospice nurse with 26 years of experience, that moment came during the darkest days of COVID-19 when she found herself emotionally overwhelmed and discovered unexpected relief in sound and energy healing. Carrie’s story reflects a broader crisis among healthcare workers. [The CDC reports that 46% of health workers frequently felt burned out in 2022](https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/health-worker-mental-health/index.html), a significant increase from 32% in 2018. For nurses specifically, the pandemic created a perfect storm of isolation, increased patient deaths and the inability to provide the human connection that had always been central to their work. ## The Breaking Point Working across New York and Connecticut during the pandemic’s peak, Carrie watched as facilities struggled to cope with an unprecedented crisis. The long hours were manageable – she’d weathered demanding shifts throughout her career. What nearly broke her was the emotional weight of caring for dying patients while being separated from her own family and unable to offer the comfort of human touch. ‘I was drowning on the inside, day after day, burying my emotions just to push forward,’ she recalls. The relentless cycle of fear and grief became overwhelming as she navigated telehealth calls with grieving families, trying to guide them through their final moments with loved ones from a distance. The turning point came during a particularly heart-wrenching call with the wife of a dying patient. After helping her administer medication, Carrie watched the woman break down in sorrow. ‘She shared that they had been married for 60 years and asked, with such quiet sorrow, how she would ever live without him.’ In that moment, Carrie finally allowed herself to break – to grieve, to feel and to begin her own healing process. ## Opening to Healing After the pandemic subsided, Carrie sought new tools to support her recovery. She was introduced to Reiki and sound healing – modalities she admits she once viewed with scepticism. [Reiki involves practitioners placing hands lightly on or above a person to direct energy and facilitate healing](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/reiki), while [sound healing uses instruments like Tibetan singing bowls to create vibrations that promote relaxation](https://richwoman.co/article/finding-your-frequency-how-soul-echo-therapy-helps-women-heal-in-a-way-that-actually-feels-pe). ‘[The comforting energy](https://richwoman.co/article/tested-by-fire-serenity-at-the-lake-shrine-meditation-gardens) that filled the room, along with the intense emotions my body began to release, was unlike anything I had ever experienced,’ she describes of her first Reiki session. The immediate sense of relief surprised her and opened her mind to exploring these alternative approaches further. For those curious about these therapies, [a first session typically involves sitting or lying comfortably](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/reiki) while the practitioner works to create a sense of calm and relaxation. Sound healing often feels like being enveloped in a ‘sound bath’ where instruments create vibrations that many find deeply soothing. The experience changed Carrie from patient to practitioner. She became a Reiki Master, Sound Practitioner and Clinical Aromatherapist, expanding her toolkit for supporting both herself and others. ## Bringing Healing to Others Now based in Arizona, Carrie blends her medical training with holistic therapies in her daily practice. This integration looks different for each patient – sometimes it’s the gentle use of essential oils, other times it’s the strategic placement of hands for Reiki, or the careful introduction of sound healing instruments. One story particularly illustrates this approach. A patient’s final request was for ‘the bell’ – a Tibetan hand chime Carrie used during sound healing sessions. In those last moments, the gentle sound provided comfort that went beyond traditional pain management. This experience solidified her belief that [sound and energy therapies could ease not just physical symptoms but emotional suffering as well](https://richwoman.co/article/healing-the-mind-the-interplay-of-brain-body-and-emotions). Her work demonstrates how [holistic wellness approaches can support healthcare workers](https://brighterhealingfoundation.org/) and their patients, addressing mind, body and spirit healing alongside traditional medical care. ### Practical Takeaways for Readers [Carrie’s journey offers several practical insights](https://richwoman.co/article/meeting-women-where-they-are-a-space-to-heal-from-childhood-trauma) for anyone feeling emotionally depleted, particularly women in caring roles. Her story shows there’s no need for perfect wellness routines – sometimes healing comes from trying unconventional approaches, even when you’re initially sceptical. The first step is acknowledging that grief, anxiety and feeling depleted are normal responses to overwhelming situations. Many women find themselves [struggling with chronic work-related stress and emotional exhaustion](https://richwoman.co/article/the-burnout-pandemic-a-story-of-resilience-038-flow-in-a-world-in-crisis). [For beginners, starting with short five to ten minute sessions](https://healingbreaths.org/blog/meditation-for-healthcare-workers/) focusing on breathwork or guided meditation can be more sustainable than ambitious routines. Those interested in exploring sound or energy therapy can start by researching local practitioners or trying online resources. [Sound healing sessions are typically non-invasive and drug-free](https://www.verywellmind.com/sound-healing-for-self-care-8384146), making them accessible options for stress relief. Carrie’s work can be found through her website angelheartholitics.com and social media @angelheartsholistics. Her chapter appears in the international bestselling book ‘Whispers of the Soul: Stories of Resilience, Awakening, and the Power of Healing from Within’, with proceeds supporting the Brighter Healing Foundation. ## A Message of Hope Carrie’s message is clear: healing extends beyond the physical body to encompass emotional and energetic wellbeing. Her change from a burned-out nurse to someone who integrates traditional and holistic approaches shows that recovery is possible, even after the most challenging circumstances. Her story resonates because it’s honest about the struggle while offering hope. She didn’t find healing through a single method or perfect routine, but through remaining open to new approaches when traditional coping mechanisms weren’t enough. For healthcare workers and others in caring professions still processing the trauma of recent years, [her journey offers both validation and practical possibilities for moving forward](https://richwoman.co/article/the-power-of-healing-whispers-of-the-soul-s-ripple-effect). In a profession where [caring for others often means neglecting yourself](https://richwoman.co/article/judy-herman-caregiver-burnout-dolly-parton), Carrie’s experience demonstrates that seeking healing isn’t selfish – it’s essential for being able to continue serving others effectively.