What is GIM
Guided imagery and Music (GIM) is a multimodal therapy that engages the senses to promote healing of the mind-body.
Integration of mind-body in therapy is now supported by developments in neuroscience research that has taken place over the past two decades (Damasio, 1995; Krueger, 2002; Korlin, 2002). Patel (2010) advocates the role of music within the field of neuroscience. He maintains that engaging in musical activities aids neuroplasticity. GIM therapists come from Music Therapy and Allied Health professions, and bring their own particular skill-set and preferred theoretical framework to GIM. During the 3-year GIM program they are also trained in Jungian theory, grief and loss, Integral psychology and study in-depth, the music programs used in GIM. During a GIM session, the therapist takes the essence of the therapeutic conversation into a focussed relaxation followed by a program of classical music that allows the client to explore that focus in greater depth. The therapist continues to dialogue with the client during the music, so that appropriate interventions can support and guide the client towards a therapeutic goal. The music programs used in GIM are well researched and constructed with an affective contour that is designed to allow clients to experience various feelings and emotions. The music stimulates the imagination and allows imagery, memories and body states to emerge spontaneously and be explored with the therapists support. Drawing or writing to give expression to the experience concludes a GIM session. Over a period of 5-10 GIM sessions client’s experience developments in imagery that gives rise to deeper meaning and greater understanding and healing of their personal life story. |
Multimodal Use Of GIM
Individual Music and Imagery Therapy: Guided Imagery and Music
Uses recorded classical music as a profound catalyst for the imagination
It involves a standard session form which begins with verbal therapy (e.g. seeking the focus for the session), relaxation and/or affect-somatic awareness (preparing for the music and accessing a relaxed or altered state of consciousness), induction (an initial image to stimulate and launch the listening), music listening with verbal dialogue (encouragement and focus for the listener during the music experience) and concludes with art therapy for integration (e.g. free drawing of a mandala)
Inner experience (or “imagery”) may include emotions, physical sensations (gross and subtle body), memories, thoughts, feelings or sensory experience (touch/taste/vision/hearing/smell)
Involves listeners who recline on a mat or chair
Involves a dynamic unfolding of inner experience in response to the qualities of the music, current feeling state and current issues
It moves listeners through “new worlds” which are a unique expression of the depths of psyche and its impulse towards growth and healing
It has the therapist sustain dialogue with the client to engage them further in their process towards physical, psychological and spiritual wholeness
Has a transcript written by the therapist of the client’s verbal response
Involves approximately 40 minutes of music
Individual Guided Imagery and Music Sessions: How Long, How Often?
A series of individual GIM psychotherapy sessions has been shown to improve wellbeing and mood in “normal” and cancer populations
Clients may choose and benefit from occasional individual sessions for general support or supervision, but a series (minimum of 6 or 10) of sessions is required for psychotherapeutic work
GIM sessions take1.5 hours and are conducted in weekly or fortnightly sessions, as required
Variations of Guided Imagery and Music
There are many varieties of GIM
Modified and adapted GIM includes
50 minute hour
Music and Drawing Narrative
Verbal therapy
Relaxation therapy
Dream work
Involves various art modalities, including clay work or sand play
Receptive music therapy work (Grocke and Wigram, 2008)
Group music and imagery work
Single session e.g. MIAA’s next introductory workshop
Group series for psycho-spiritual, mental health or wellbeing education or therapy (such as exploring and experiencing various
archetypes )
May collaborate with other therapists/educators involved in other modalities
Who can benefit from Music and Imagery?
The full individual GIM session primarily suitable for healthy, functioning adults. Healthy individuals use GIM as a form of personal therapy to address:
Grief and loss processes
Relationship issues
Access creative potential
Support integrated spiritual practice
Enable wellbeing and quality of life
Improve mood.
Modification of GIM have been successfully used with clinical and specialist groups, such as
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Trauma related to sexual abuse
Addictions
Psychiatric conditions
Children and adolescents
Medical care
Chronic illness
Palliative care
Music and Imagery Training
Introductory workshops (3hrs – full day) are provided by the Music and Imagery Association of Australia. Further workshops are negotiated with groups who express interest in having a workshop in their area. These are suitable for introductory experience and overview of Guided Imagery and Music, or adapted to address a current issue or theme.
Certificate Training is a course offered over the period of one year by the Music and Imagery Association of Australia. In this course, group tuition is offered over four intensive residential weekends (traditionally conducted in Melbourne) thus enabling participation by interstate and overseas students. Certificate training focuses on group applications of GIM and an introduction to GIM in individual therapy and includes personal therapy and supervised GIM work.
Advanced Training involves the Graduate Diploma of Guided Imagery and Music course offered by the University of Melbourne as well as personal therapy and supervised GIM work. The Graduate Diploma group tuition occurs over eight intensive residential weekends conducted across a two year programme. Its main focus is on skill development of therapists wanting to practice GIM in individual therapy. Graduates are eligible for the qualification Registered Guided Imagery and Music Therapist and PACFA registration.
Master/PhD Research training in music and imagery (and the broader field of music therapy) is available at the National Music Therapy Research Unity (NAMTRU) at the University of Melbourne.
Uses recorded classical music as a profound catalyst for the imagination
It involves a standard session form which begins with verbal therapy (e.g. seeking the focus for the session), relaxation and/or affect-somatic awareness (preparing for the music and accessing a relaxed or altered state of consciousness), induction (an initial image to stimulate and launch the listening), music listening with verbal dialogue (encouragement and focus for the listener during the music experience) and concludes with art therapy for integration (e.g. free drawing of a mandala)
Inner experience (or “imagery”) may include emotions, physical sensations (gross and subtle body), memories, thoughts, feelings or sensory experience (touch/taste/vision/hearing/smell)
Involves listeners who recline on a mat or chair
Involves a dynamic unfolding of inner experience in response to the qualities of the music, current feeling state and current issues
It moves listeners through “new worlds” which are a unique expression of the depths of psyche and its impulse towards growth and healing
It has the therapist sustain dialogue with the client to engage them further in their process towards physical, psychological and spiritual wholeness
Has a transcript written by the therapist of the client’s verbal response
Involves approximately 40 minutes of music
Individual Guided Imagery and Music Sessions: How Long, How Often?
A series of individual GIM psychotherapy sessions has been shown to improve wellbeing and mood in “normal” and cancer populations
Clients may choose and benefit from occasional individual sessions for general support or supervision, but a series (minimum of 6 or 10) of sessions is required for psychotherapeutic work
GIM sessions take1.5 hours and are conducted in weekly or fortnightly sessions, as required
Variations of Guided Imagery and Music
There are many varieties of GIM
Modified and adapted GIM includes
50 minute hour
Music and Drawing Narrative
Verbal therapy
Relaxation therapy
Dream work
Involves various art modalities, including clay work or sand play
Receptive music therapy work (Grocke and Wigram, 2008)
Group music and imagery work
Single session e.g. MIAA’s next introductory workshop
Group series for psycho-spiritual, mental health or wellbeing education or therapy (such as exploring and experiencing various
archetypes )
May collaborate with other therapists/educators involved in other modalities
Who can benefit from Music and Imagery?
The full individual GIM session primarily suitable for healthy, functioning adults. Healthy individuals use GIM as a form of personal therapy to address:
Grief and loss processes
Relationship issues
Access creative potential
Support integrated spiritual practice
Enable wellbeing and quality of life
Improve mood.
Modification of GIM have been successfully used with clinical and specialist groups, such as
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Trauma related to sexual abuse
Addictions
Psychiatric conditions
Children and adolescents
Medical care
Chronic illness
Palliative care
Music and Imagery Training
Introductory workshops (3hrs – full day) are provided by the Music and Imagery Association of Australia. Further workshops are negotiated with groups who express interest in having a workshop in their area. These are suitable for introductory experience and overview of Guided Imagery and Music, or adapted to address a current issue or theme.
Certificate Training is a course offered over the period of one year by the Music and Imagery Association of Australia. In this course, group tuition is offered over four intensive residential weekends (traditionally conducted in Melbourne) thus enabling participation by interstate and overseas students. Certificate training focuses on group applications of GIM and an introduction to GIM in individual therapy and includes personal therapy and supervised GIM work.
Advanced Training involves the Graduate Diploma of Guided Imagery and Music course offered by the University of Melbourne as well as personal therapy and supervised GIM work. The Graduate Diploma group tuition occurs over eight intensive residential weekends conducted across a two year programme. Its main focus is on skill development of therapists wanting to practice GIM in individual therapy. Graduates are eligible for the qualification Registered Guided Imagery and Music Therapist and PACFA registration.
Master/PhD Research training in music and imagery (and the broader field of music therapy) is available at the National Music Therapy Research Unity (NAMTRU) at the University of Melbourne.
