Guided Imagery and Music
In Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), the therapist facilitates music listening experiences that deepen the individual’s relationship to their inner world.
Suzannah is one of a handful of practitioners trained in The Continuum Model of GIM. Sessions can range from anywhere between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the goals of the therapy process and the specific focus of the session.
The continuum model of GIM systematises MI and GIM methods in a way that centres collaborative decision-making and privileges a person’s preferred music, safety, and pleasure, alongside their therapeutic needs and stated goals.
Music and Imagery (MI) experiences invite specific, conscious focus on internal strengths or areas of conflict. Breathing awareness reduces tension and improves internal focus; collaboratively-chosen music deepens access to internal strengths and resources or areas of conflict; and image-making strengthens connection to the inner experience.
Music and Imagery methods can help you reconnect to a positive self-image that can become an anchor during difficult experiences, or help you develop increased acceptance and insight around issues that are a challenge to your health.
Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) experiences encourage exploration and expansion, and are appropriate for clients who are well connected to their inner resources, and already have some insight into their sources of tension. The stimulating music that is used in GIM promotes an explorative attitude, and may bring the listener in contact with previously unexplored areas of consciousness.
The therapist will invite you to close your eyes, and guide you into a relaxed, non-ordinary state of consciousness, in which you will listen to specially-chosen, recorded music. The therapist is an unobtrusive guide, facilitating a deepened experience of the music. You may have visual imagery, memories, physical sensations, and/or feelings.
- Read about the continuum model, and the treatment of trauma here.
- For a helpful description of a GIM session see this piece of writing detailing a GIM session as experienced by a journalist.
As a Fellow of the Association of Music and Imagery, I adhere to the Ethical Code of Conduct and Standards of Practice outlined by the association. Because of the use of non-ordinary states of consciousness, it is very important that you do this type of psychotherapy work with a therapist who has trained and completed all requirements for Fellowship and is endorsed by the Association for Music and Imagery (AMI).