The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is a musical therapy that uses specifically programmed classical music to stimulate and sustain inner experiences. The GIM session takes place in a comfortable setting in which the therapist and the person seeking the experience can develop a trusting relationship before the listening experience takes place. Recommended session length is 2 hours.

After a preliminary conversation with the therapist, the person reclines on a comfortable chair and becomes ready to listen to the music. The therapist offers an exercise to relax the body and suggest an image to focus the mind thus preparing the person to use the music as fully as possible. The therapist selects the appropriate CD’s and tapes and starts the music program. The listener brings all of his/her focus to the music, allowing it to be a vehicle for traveling into the deeper state of consciousness. Through active dialogue, the therapist encourages the imager to notice whatever comes into awareness while the music is playing. The relationship among the imager, the therapist and the music provides encouragement and focus for the emotions, images, physical sensations, memories, and thoughts that occur. At the completion of the music program, the therapist helps the person to return to full waking consciousness and begin integrating the imaging experience into his/her life.

The phenomena that are experienced by the person while listening to the music are referred to as images. They may include physical sensations, emotions, thoughts, waking dreams, visual images, memories, or inspirations. These musically evoked images compromise the major content of the GIM session and provide both the imager and the therapist with much material to process. The person’s imagery experience is reflective of his/her life journey. What one sees and senses is a reflection of self and is unique to one’s personal relationships, feelings, and experiences. The material which surfaces may be creative, awesome, amusing, fearful, enigmatic, or very ordinary. By exploring and respecting the imagination, a person stimulates a deep and rich milieu for personal insight. The understanding that comes from the insight can generate psychological and emotional growth, healing, and transformation.

Persons who choose GIM as a method of self-exploration find many possibilities for growth. They may gain insight into interpersonal relationships, creative blocks, and/or chronic physical conditions. They may be able to grieve losses that have not found closure. Old behaviors can fade as a person learns how to move beyond prior limitations. The GIM experience can lead to the development of self-understanding, the improvement of self-esteem, the potential for behavioral change, the rebirth of creativity, and the achievement of spiritual awakening and insight.

Click here to learn more about Marilyn Clark, LCPC, NCC, FAMI

Also in this section

The Maryland Center for Integrative Medicine | 410-828-3585 | info@mcim.org | 658 Kenilworth Drive, Suite 206 Baltimore, MD 21204

This site made manifest by Manifesto software