Guided Imagery and Music
Guided Imagery And Music (GIM) is a music-centered therapeutic process utilized to access the human psyche and lead to self-actualization and healing. It is a very powerful tool for reaching different levels of the psyche. Successful GIM is achieved by combining a thoroughly trained and professional “guide” and carefully selected music. It is a technique of imaging to music in a relaxed state of consciousness while sharing the imagery experience with a trained guide. In the relaxed state of consciousness, the GIM traveler feels safe to let the music help him/her experience feelings that have previously seemed extremely threatening. When used as a therapeutic tool, GIM can lead to a deep uncovering of hidden emotional responses and stimulate creative insights. GIM is a reconstructive and transpersonal therapeutic process. Through the use of music and imagery, GIM allows an individual to explore, experience and resolve personal needs, relationships and life issues. No musical training or knowledge is required.
The Bonny Method of GIM is characterized by the use of specially sequenced classical and/or contemporary music within a one-to-one session conducted by a facilitator, or guide, who is formally trained in The Bonny Method of GIM. After an initial discussion with an individual, the guide provides relaxation and focusing suggestions to assist the individual’s entry into a relaxed state. This is followed by an interactive music listening experience in which the individual listens to the music and describes the images, sensations, feelings, and awarenesses evoked by it. The guide, also listening to the music, helps to focus and support the image experiences of the individual in a variety of ways. At the close of the music, the guide assists the individual’s return from the expanded state of consciousness and helps the individual integrate the experiences of the session.
In a typical GIM session, the individual and the guide begin to build their rapport through a preliminary conversation about expectations, goals, current and/or past personal history. The individual is then invited to recline on a comfortable mat, couch, or in a reclining chair. The guide provides relaxation and focusing suggestions to assist the individual into a relaxed state. The guide then selects an appropriate music program and starts the music. The individual listens to the music in a very focused way and allows his/her imagination to become active in response to the music. The individual verbalizes the many types of images which s/he senses, and the guide responds with supportive and resonant comments. The guide makes notes and, at the end of the music program, the guide helps the individual return from the relaxed state. Together they begin to reflect on the nature of the session experiences and to further the progress of integration. With the guide’s non-judgmental support, the traveler often finds the courage to confront current life issues or long-buried trauma and begin to deal with them. The music provides the supportive and loving channel for expression.
Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is not the same as Guided Imagery. Although both methods tap the unconscious for the purpose of self-exploration, healing, and creativity, Guided Imagery is more directive and is primarily verbal in nature— the guide often suggests the imagery to the traveler. In the GIM method, the carefully selected music does the suggesting. As the traveler talks about the images while the music is playing, the guide makes comments or asks questions about the images for more in-depth exploration. Since the images are the traveler’s own spontaneous creations, they are more in tune with the traveler’s unconscious than any images the guide could invent.