MusiKing Studio

 

The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is a receptive music therapy, and one of the five international models of music therapy which requires advanced clinical training.  It consists of an in-depth approach to music psychotherapy, a creative process where imagery is evoked during music listening (Bonny, 1990).

 

Based on a synthesis of Bonny’s writings (2002), Bonny Method of GIM may be defined as an individual form of exploring consciousness (e.g., in healing, psychotherapy, self-development, spiritual work), which involves spontaneous imaging, in an expanded state of consciousness to predesigned programs of classical music, while interacting with a guide who uses non-directive, non-analytical, music based interventions, within a client-centered orientation, all within a session that has the following components: preliminary conversation relaxation-induction, guided music-imaging experience, return, and postlude discussion. (Bruscia, 2002)

 

GIM belongs to the holistic and psychodynamic traditions of psychotherapy and it can lead to the development of self-understanding, the ordering of the psyche and the achievement of spiritual insight (Clark and Keiser, 1986).

It connects the conscious to the unconscious, stimulates the intuition and the creative potential, activates our innate capacity for healing and transformation, provides encouragement to get through difficult emotions and life situations and carries the client through the heights and depths of an experience. It helps to reduce fears and anxieties, reduces stress and enhances a state of well-being, allows unresolved issues to surface and helps to remove mental and emotional blocks.

( http://www.gim-trainings.com/about.html )

 

A GIM session consists of three parts:

 

• The pre-talk:  The part where information is taken and issues of the here- and- now are addressed.

• The travel:    The main part of the session, where the client, while in a relaxed state,   engages in a reflective dialogue with the guide, aimed at facilitating a spontaneous unfolding of images, feelings, senses, thoughts or memories elicited by the music.

• The post-talk: The exploration and the conversation on the inner meaning and interpretations of the images, senses, feelings that have occurred during the music listening.                                                                                                    

 

There are scientific evidence for the effectiveness of GIM in various clinical fields, especially with clients with stress   related and psychosomatic disorders.