In this post, I'll focus on the form, process, and reported benefits of The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music abbreviated as GIM. GIM is a receptive or listening model of music therapy that is the specialty of the music therapists of Music Journey, LLC. I am aware that GIM is not the only use of music and imagery that music therapists use to help people. I am going to speak about GIM, initially created by Helen Bonny, Ph.D., a music therapist. My hope is that this post provides enough information so that you can decide if GIM could help you or someone you know.
A GIM meeting or session contains distinct procedural phases. The phases of a GIM session include a preliminary discussion, a focus and relaxation period, a music listening period, and a concluding discussion. A session can last up to two hours.
During the preliminary discussion, the person seeking help, the client, and the music therapist discuss the nature of the client's experiences, needs, and intent for the particular session. The music therapist is responsible for the music that will be used in the music listening phase. Given the nature the client's needs, the music choice can be part of the preliminary discussion, or the music therapist may select the music.
The next phase is the focus and relaxation phase of the session. During approximately 5 to 10 minutes, the music therapist provides a verbal prompt to assist the client in experiencing a relaxed and focused state of being. The prompt can include stories, feelings, or images the client has reported in the preliminary discussion.
The heart of the GIM session, in my mind, is the music listening phase. During this phase, the therapist will play selected recorded music, intended to match and meet the needs of the client. The client is asked to close their eyes and verbally report their subjective experience. These may take the form of mental imagery, sensory experiences, emotions, or other experiences. The therapist works to follow the client's reports of their experiences with the music. The music therapist's supportive and reflective comments are intended to help the client explore and expand their internal experience. During the music listening, a written transcript is made by the therapist. This document can be reviewed during the discussion that follows.
The concluding discussion is where the therapist and the client reflect on the meanings and understandings the client has gained from the music listening in light of the entire session experience. The discussion can aid the client in finding benefits and new awareness.
I recognize that this description of the phases of GIM may or may not be wholly helpful for someone to determine whether GIM would be useful themselves. Another view that may help you decide on the helpfulness of GIM is from the research evidence. Research on GIM has been reported in peer-reviewed publications, for over 30 years and points to the positive impacts of GIM for adult health.
I'll briefly describe a study by McKinney and Honig (2017) from the Journal of Music Therapy titled, Health Outcomes of a Series of Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music Sessions: A Systematic Review. This study evaluated the outcomes of nine GIM studies. The aim was to assess the impact of a series of GIM sessions for adult GIM clients. This study pointed out that after 6 to 10 GIM sessions, clients and observers reported benefits for clients' experiences of anxiety, depressed mood, quality of life, view of life, and relational problems. While the McKinney and Honig study evaluated quantitative research, other research, and inquiry, including clinical stories and interview-based qualitative research, has explored and reported descriptions of the GIM experience and corroborated this study's findings.
Finally, another view, that may be useful for you to determine if GIM may help you is that of the statements of individuals who have received GIM. Some people Music Journey, LLC has served, have chosen to give written consent for us to use their words and stories. For example, a client recovering from childhood trauma stated, "It was always good to have a voyage" (music listening phase of GIM). This client also reported the transcript the therapist wrote, "Helps me understand" life and the GIM experience. Another client, a young professional, was seeking personal development. This person reported at the end of their 15 GIM sessions that they were able to see a broader perspective on their life process, and the GIM experiences were helpful. Lastly, another client who struggled with a relationship problem reported improvements in their life and relationship at the end of six scheduled GIM sessions, stating, "I'm going to be ok."
I hope these descriptions of The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music - GIM, can help you to determine if this model of music therapy may benefit you. Please reach out to us with your questions regarding the music therapy services Music Journey, LLC offers. You can contact us at [email protected] or through our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/musicjourney.musictherapy/
Love and Light
Aaron
A GIM meeting or session contains distinct procedural phases. The phases of a GIM session include a preliminary discussion, a focus and relaxation period, a music listening period, and a concluding discussion. A session can last up to two hours.
During the preliminary discussion, the person seeking help, the client, and the music therapist discuss the nature of the client's experiences, needs, and intent for the particular session. The music therapist is responsible for the music that will be used in the music listening phase. Given the nature the client's needs, the music choice can be part of the preliminary discussion, or the music therapist may select the music.
The next phase is the focus and relaxation phase of the session. During approximately 5 to 10 minutes, the music therapist provides a verbal prompt to assist the client in experiencing a relaxed and focused state of being. The prompt can include stories, feelings, or images the client has reported in the preliminary discussion.
The heart of the GIM session, in my mind, is the music listening phase. During this phase, the therapist will play selected recorded music, intended to match and meet the needs of the client. The client is asked to close their eyes and verbally report their subjective experience. These may take the form of mental imagery, sensory experiences, emotions, or other experiences. The therapist works to follow the client's reports of their experiences with the music. The music therapist's supportive and reflective comments are intended to help the client explore and expand their internal experience. During the music listening, a written transcript is made by the therapist. This document can be reviewed during the discussion that follows.
The concluding discussion is where the therapist and the client reflect on the meanings and understandings the client has gained from the music listening in light of the entire session experience. The discussion can aid the client in finding benefits and new awareness.
I recognize that this description of the phases of GIM may or may not be wholly helpful for someone to determine whether GIM would be useful themselves. Another view that may help you decide on the helpfulness of GIM is from the research evidence. Research on GIM has been reported in peer-reviewed publications, for over 30 years and points to the positive impacts of GIM for adult health.
I'll briefly describe a study by McKinney and Honig (2017) from the Journal of Music Therapy titled, Health Outcomes of a Series of Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music Sessions: A Systematic Review. This study evaluated the outcomes of nine GIM studies. The aim was to assess the impact of a series of GIM sessions for adult GIM clients. This study pointed out that after 6 to 10 GIM sessions, clients and observers reported benefits for clients' experiences of anxiety, depressed mood, quality of life, view of life, and relational problems. While the McKinney and Honig study evaluated quantitative research, other research, and inquiry, including clinical stories and interview-based qualitative research, has explored and reported descriptions of the GIM experience and corroborated this study's findings.
Finally, another view, that may be useful for you to determine if GIM may help you is that of the statements of individuals who have received GIM. Some people Music Journey, LLC has served, have chosen to give written consent for us to use their words and stories. For example, a client recovering from childhood trauma stated, "It was always good to have a voyage" (music listening phase of GIM). This client also reported the transcript the therapist wrote, "Helps me understand" life and the GIM experience. Another client, a young professional, was seeking personal development. This person reported at the end of their 15 GIM sessions that they were able to see a broader perspective on their life process, and the GIM experiences were helpful. Lastly, another client who struggled with a relationship problem reported improvements in their life and relationship at the end of six scheduled GIM sessions, stating, "I'm going to be ok."
I hope these descriptions of The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music - GIM, can help you to determine if this model of music therapy may benefit you. Please reach out to us with your questions regarding the music therapy services Music Journey, LLC offers. You can contact us at [email protected] or through our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/musicjourney.musictherapy/
Love and Light
Aaron
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