• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.59-80
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• 2014

Helen Lindquist Bonny developed the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (BMGIM), a music oriented self-exploration of consciousness, with the influence of humanistic and client-centered approaches. BMGIM can help people manage pain, anxiety, relationship issues, depression, and other conditions through self-awareness and self-potential. The purpose of this biographical study was to explore Bonny's early life experiences and their contribution to the humanistic and transpersonal approach to music therapy. The study was organized in chronological order: Bonny's childhood and young adulthood; inspirations that led to development of BMGIM; and research and clinical events that helped solidify the development of BMGIM. An interview with Bonny and a review of the literature supported the significance of these periods. The years between 1972 and 1979 mark the development of the first series of BMGIM music programs, which Bonny said served as the base for many later GIM music programs developed. Bonny's contribution to the field of music therapy includes the provision of strong foundation for music therapy based on Maslow's and Rogerian approach, and the introduction of time-valued music to the music therapy field.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.39-62
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• 2014

The purpose of this research was to review the music choices of GIM therapists in GIM. Seven databases and nine music therapy journals were searched with keywords such as "Guided Imagery and Music", "GIM", "Helen Bonny", "Bonny method", "Music and Imagery" and "BMGIM" between 1964 to 2013. Every abstract was confirmed to see whether it meets this research topic. 12 of 126 articles that described the reasons for music choices were selected. It is the result of narrative literature review that GIM therapists chose music to match clients' qualities of moods, emotions, feelings related with issues and clients' themes in therapy. In 5 articles among the 12 articles, authors chose music with considering music elements analytically to match clients' states. Reasonable explanations for music choice were reviewed in these 5 articles. There were limitations to obtain common facts between articles because most of 126 articles were case studies which described from therapists's point of view in a qualitative way. A more fundamental research is required to obtain rationales of music choices in GIM as a music-centered music psychotherapy for the further research.