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Bonny Method of Guided Imagery & Music

Music can often clarify and heal deep-seated psychological and emotional issues that underlie conditions of physical disease and mental discomfort. The Bonny Method offers a rich and powerful tool for exploration of inner space using music and client-generated imagery. Helen Bonny, musician, psychotherapist, music therapist and former researcher with Stan Grof at Maryland Psychiatric Research Center recognized the enormous therapeutic potential of music and developed. As a result of her profession and personal experiences with heart disease, she developed Guided Imagery and Music (GIM).

The process begins with a short counseling period to determine the focus of the session. Deep relaxation and induction are followed by the therapist suggesting a setting which engages the listener's imagination so that feelings and senses may resonate with the music, bringing the listener into a state of altered consciousness. Then, the therapist chooses one of many music programs, specially-designed to evoke and support imagery. Typically, physical sensations, spiritual moments and deep insights come up in a manner resembling a lucid dream. These create an opening to the innermost self out of which healing and personal change can occur. Responses are supported and noted by the therapist,. After the music ends, the listener is gently brought back to normal consciousness and is asked to reflect upon the experiences which the music has evoked. Non-verbal processing using journaling or art is often employed, resulting in a unique therapeutic process which may bring listeners to a psychological or spiritual breakthroughs much more quickly than traditional therapies. Optimally lasting 90 minutes (although, 1- hour sessions can be arranged), the overall experience is very relaxing, potent and regenerative for the client.

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