The Integrative GIM Training Programme
UK Based Training in The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and Music and Imagery (MI)
COVID-19 GIM Self-Help Resource:
a relaxation and healing oriented experience intended for those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19
Training Programme Calendar 2021/2
Level 1 GIM Training:
Certificate in Supportive Music and Imagery (SMI), October 2021, Online
Dates: Wednesday October 27 – Saturday October 30
THIS COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED AND CLOSED TO APPLICATIONS
Level 1 GIM Training:
Certificate in Supportive Music and Imagery (SMI), March 2022, Online
"I had been searching for some time for a psychotherapeutic approach that combined modalities,
was suitable for online working, and could encourage me to explore my own creative potential.
I feel I have found this in the gentle but profound meeting of image and music offered by SMI.
The training has supported me in feeling confident to explore the method through carefully guided
experiential exercises framed by a thorough, clearly delivered theoretical grounding. The Trainers,
often pioneers in their field, have together provided an inspiring balance of knowledge and experience".
Music Therapist
Dates: Friday March 18 (evening) - Sunday March 20
Saturday March 26 - Sunday March 27
THE COURSE WILL BE DELIVERED ONLINE
Application form
Information about SMI and the course
Supportive Music and Imagery (SMI) was originally developed by Lisa Summer as part of her continuum model of MI and GIM. SMI is a music-centred psychotherapy method used to help clients develop and deepen the connection to their inner strengths and resources. The aim is to improve general wellbeing and support clients to cope with the challenges of everyday living. As a manualised, evidence-based method, SMI is suitable for short-term therapy (e.g. 6 sessions) that can be effectively delivered online as well as in person. SMI is both a systematic and a flexible, client-centred approach, where elements of the method can adapted if necessary in meeting client need.
SMI can be used with individuals and groups across ages and abilities. It can help those with a wide range of psychological and emotional issues develop the inner resources and resilience needed to cope in everyday living. This involves clients being supported to use music itself as a resource, music which can potentially be of diverse traditions, cultures and genres. SMI can also be effective as self-care for therapists: those in training are encouraged to explore this for themselves.
SMI therapists work collaboratively with clients to help them develop existing inner resources which they may be little aware of, and/or that may be undeveloped:
• the therapist helps the client identify a positive inner resource to work on
• the client to supported to select suitable music, whether from their own collection or the therapist’s
• breathing awareness reduces tension and improves internal focus
• the client creates a drawing (or engages in other expressive arts) whilst listening to the music so as to deepen the connection with, and integrate
their chosen inner resource
• the client is encouraged to access the inner resources in daily living, making use of their music collection to support this. Where possible, clients
learn to carry out SMI at home as a complement to meditation or journaling practices, for example.
Article about SMI with case examples by Sumi Paik-Maier
Short case study focusing on SMI as part of the Continuum Model of GIM by Carine Ries
Short article providing an overview of Music and Imagery (MI) Therapy by Ian Grundy
The competency-based SMI certificate course will cover all aspects of the delivery of SMI through didactic and experiential learning. The March training seminar will be followed by a period of supervised client and other work, after which trainees will present their client work to one another before qualifying.
Whilst SMI training is complete in itself, it also represents the first stage of training in MI and GIM with the Integrative GIM Training Programme.
Prerequisites for training
The certificate course in SMI is open to those qualified in music therapy, counselling, psychotherapy, psychology or similar, who have a minimum of 1 year's post-qualification experience and are registered with a professional therapy organisation or regulating body. For those who are not music therapists, it is required to have a sufficiently well-developed relationship with music, though a formal music education is not required.
The course is also open to Level 3 GIM trainees from other training programmes (subject to their Primary Trainer's approval) and to GIM Fellows wishing to train in the method.
Requirements
Develop and categorise a pool of SMI music of diverse genres and cultures.
Receive a minimum of 2 SMI sessions from a qualified Music and Imagery Therapist (MIT).
Give and receive 4 SMI sessions with a training colleague.
Undertake personal SMI as self-care.
Deliver SMI to 2 clients, 7 sessions each.
Receive 5 small group supervisions.
Complete required reading.
Complete case summaries and self-reflective learning reports.
Completion of training
Those who satisfactorily complete the course and its requirements will be awarded a Certificate in SMI and be entitled to practice the method independently. Subject to the Primary Trainer’s recommendation, they will also be eligible to undertake the similar length training in Re-educative Music and Imagery (RMI) offered by the Integrative GIM Training Programme.
Costs
Course fee (including final presentations): EARLY BIRD £470 (BEFORE JANUARY 31, 2022). Thereafter £530. Early booking is advised as numbers will be strictly limited.
Supervision (5 sessions): £225
Personal SMI (2 sessions): £90
Level 2 GIM Training:
Diploma in Re-educative Music and Imagery (RMI)
Dates (provisional): March 2023 (4 days). Details to be confirmed.
This training will only open to those who have satisfactorily completed the Level 1 Certificate in SMI.
Music, Relaxation and Imagery: Supportive Receptive Techniques for Music Therapists
Dates: Saturday 27 November, 2021, 9:30am – 3:30pm, online. Click here for further information.