Music Psychotherapy (GIM) Sessions

Intro

This page includes important information about how an individual GIM session with me looks like.
I will explain the main elements of the Helen Bonny Method Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) Psychotherapy through video & text:

What is GIM Psychotherapy?
What to expect in a GIM session?
What is Imagery?
How does the Music work?

For more detailed information please visit the Association for Music & Imagery (AMI).

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What is GIM Psychotherapy?

The Helen Bonny Method Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) Psychotherapy was developed by Dr. Helen Bonny in the 70s, and is practiced throughout the world. GIM is a music-centered, consciousness-expanding, transformational therapy. What does this mean?

Music-centered:
We will use carefully selected, meaningful, and beautiful classical works to help you feel safe, at ease, and stimulate your imagination. (See 'How does the Music work?' on this page for more details)
Consciousness-expanding:
Ideally - through intentional music listening - you will reach an alternative state of consciousness, which helps you to become more and more aware of your thoughts and feelings. You as the client take the initiative, and set the pace. As your therapist, I will be there every step of the way to support you.
Transformational therapy:
It is important to use the insights from the session and integrate it in your everyday life. Understanding what is going on in your mind and your imagination, will help you notice and recognize behavioral patterns. Ultimately our goal is to support you living your life to the fullest:
You deserve to be heard
You deserve to be seen
You don’t have to be anything but yourself to be worthy
It is truly a client-centered therapy.

You either walk inside your story and own it, or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness - Brené Brown

What to expect in a GIM session?

Here you will find a step-by-step breakdown of a GIM session, which applies to both new and returning clients. The average GIM session lasts anywhere between 90-120 minutes.

Check in (15-30 minutes):
Similar to a regular counseling therapy session, you and I will talk. During this check in, you can share what is going on with you and your life, what brought you here, what is on your mind, and together we will decide what you would like to focus on for the session.
Preparation for music (10-15 minutes):
I will guide you settling in to a comfortable position (most clients prefer laying down on a mat, couch, or futon) to help you reach an altered state of consciousness (ASC); We will focus on your breathing to help you relax deeply before entering the music experience.
For examples of various 'preparations for music' please click here.
Music experience (30-45 minutes):
When the music starts you will verbalize your experience; Each piece of music can stimulate different imagery. (also see 'What is Imagery?')
During this step, I encourage that you - the 'traveler' - will verbalize the details of your imagery throughout the music experience and I might ask you non-directive questions to focus on specific imageries. Additionally I will keep a written transcript of your 'travel' for processing and documentation.
Processing the experience (15-30 minutes):
Processing takes time; During the music experience you have been in an altered state of consciousness (ASC). When the music ends, you will be gently guided back to the ordinary state of consciousness.
You can talk freely about how the experience was for you, and together we will process the imageries that made strong impressions on you. How does this information relate to your current situation, or what does this information mean to you? Many clients find that expressive/creative arts activities such as drawing, music improvisation, journaling, or clay work are helpful for processing which will be provided by me.

What is Imagery?

Imagery is everything you experience!
Contrary to popular belief, imagery is not solely visual pictures. While visual pictures are a type of imagery, other types of imagery may include:

what you hear
what you smell
what you taste
what you feel (including body sensations, memories, and movements)

Even nothing is imagery! Sometimes you don't know how you feel and you may need more time & space to explore this 'nothing'.
There is no right or wrong way to experience imagery!

How does the Music work?

Music plays a very important part of our lives; Many of us listen to music every day for different things, and music activates the “feel good “ endorphins in our brains.

In GIM therapy, the music is constantly stimulating, activating, and engaging all of your senses - Music speaks to the entire brain, and anything can be possible when you open and nurture your imagination.

The music experience is the heart of the process.

The music serves as a 'co-therapist': The music provides a safe 'container' for the client ('traveler') to fully experience different emotional states and freely move through them. The traveler verbally describes the internal images that come to mind as the music plays. The therapist ('guide') sits close by the traveler as a support, and will respond to the images for the experience to unfold & develop.

Why classical music?

All the music is carefully selected, supported through research, and the different music programs are intentionally designed to support and sustain ASC (Altered State of Consciousness.
Classical music provides predictable structure, and also offers a wide range of variety.
Classical music is multi-dimensional and multi-layered: The elements in classical music (rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, dynamics, tempo, form, and orchestration) encourage elevating and deeply moving experiences.
Classical music captures all human emotions. The music is open for all interpretations and storylines.
The music is chosen to support and create opportunities for healing and transformational experiences.

I felt that hearing carefully chosen samples of this music while in a very relaxed state of consciousness could facilitate in evoking important memories and in working through conflicts in the context of psychotherapy. I was looking for a more powerful one-to-one therapy using music and its power to reach usually hidden internal emotions through imagery processes. I knew that music could accomplish this, and that the harmonic integration of inspired music could also bring about healing and transformation when the client was ready to receive it.
- Helen Bonny