The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music
In the past several decades, the emergence of holistic thought in health care has led to a renewed appreciation of the way the ancients used music. They knew the potential of music to alter consciousness. Now music, combined with the imaging potential of the mind to communicate feelings and root causes, has opened a new access to deep, yet accelerated forms of psychotherapy.
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is a music-centered experiential therapy and a method for uncovering depth levels of the mind. The GIM experience, much like a waking dream, not only enables one to connect to the deeper self; it can also illuminate or help to resolve current life issues. Clients may experience emotional releases, new connections and insights, and often a spiritual unfolding. The music is chosen from the great masterworks of composers such as Bach, Beethoven, Strauss, Mozart, and Wagner. This work encourages unresolved issues to surface and helps to remove mental, emotional, and spiritual blocks. It also awakens new levels of creativity while encouraging a deep inner connection to what is most meaningful.
Unlike many visualization and imagery techniques GIM imagery is not directed from a script but unfolds spontaneously, stimulated and carried by the music and by skilled guiding. This process works without having to think about it. Through the skilled guiding of a specially trained therapist, the appropriate use of music, and the willingness of the client to be spontaneous, the process energizes the psyche to heal itself. This phenomenon parallels the ability of the injured physical body to activate white blood cells and other functions to bring about physical healing. The psyche also has an innate capacity to heal itself. Inspired musical performances provide a creative projective screen for the connecting of many levels of mind, body and spirit.
GIM is well suited for most clinical issues including stress, depression, and challenges within relationships. It is also helpful for those who find themselves in life transitions, such as career change, geographical moves and divorce. It is very well suited to persons with addictions, especially those who are in recovery.
GIM is not recommended for serious mental disorders. It has the potential for uncovering deep emotions and unconscious material. GIM is not helpful for persons who are struggling to maintain balance and deal with the realities of everyday life.
Features of The Bonny Method of GIM
As a holistic approach to experiential psychotherapy, GIM also known as The Bonny Method :
- Offers a great deal of self direction in a therapy process. The Traveler (client) and Guide (therapist) work as a team, sharing equal responsibility for the outcome of the therapy.
- Allows feelings to surface and also validates them.
- Promotes body awareness, especially helpful when one is cut off from him/herself.
- Encourages spontaneity, and the patient learns to trust the unfolding of his own healing process.
- Encourages honesty: images do not lie, and the dream-like nature of images makes it hard to manipulate the process.
- Brings the traveler into a more immediate experience of the problem or issue, enabling them to work through problems much faster.
- Enhances one's creativity, intuition, and deep appreciation of music while assisting in problem resolution.