GUIDED IMAGERY AND MUSIC: A SURVEY OF CURRENT PRACTICES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to solicit information from Fellows of the Association for Music and Imagery concerning their use of the method known as Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). Modifications to the individual and group forms of GIM that were created by Helen Bonny in the 1970s have been reported in the literature over the past 30 years, but the prevalence of these practices is unknown. Based on distinctions provided by Bruscia (2002a), an anonymous electronic survey was designed to gather data on the extent to which original and modified forms of GIM found in the literature are currently practiced. In addition, data were gathered on the basic demographics of GIM fellows, as well as characteristics of their clients and their delivery of GIM treatment. Results indicated that the original Bonny Method practices were frequently used by a majority of GIM fellows. All of the modifications included in the survey were also practiced, although less frequently than original Bonny Method practices. T-tests and ANOVAs were computed to identify significant differences between GIM fellows' use of practices, and, their demographics and delivery of GIM treatment. Pearson correlations were computed to identify significant relationships between GIM fellows' use of practices and their clients' characteristics. A number of significant results were found and discussed. Results of factor analyses indicated that the boundary distinctions between the original Bonny Method and modified practices as articulated by Bruscia (2002a) are reflected in GIM fellows' frequency ratings for these practices. It is recommended that the GIM community adopt a system for distinguishing boundaries between practices, conduct research to determine where Bonny Method and modified practices are learned and for what purposes they are used, and to use this information to inform GIM training and practice.