What is Bonny Method?
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is a music-centered, consciousness-expanding therapy developed by Helen Bonny. The method involves the client imaging whilst listening to a 30 - 45 minute programme of classical music in a relaxed state, eyes closed, lying down. Therapists trained in the Bonny Method choose classical music sequences that stimulate journeys of the imagination, while the client verbally describes their unfolding experience. Unlike other guided imagery techniques, the therapist does not make suggestions during the music; instead, they serve as witness and facilitator. The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) was developed in the 1970s by Helen Bonny, a music therapist and researcher working in the USA, as a form of depth psychotherapy.
Origins & lineage
Helen Lindquist Bonny (1921 – May 25, 2010) was a music therapist who developed “Guided Imagery and Music” often referred to as “GIM”. Helen Bonny studied with E. Thayer Gaston at the University of Kansas in the early 1960s, where she received her bachelor’s degree in music education, with a major in music therapy. GIM originated in the early 1970s during the psychedelic trials that were undertaken through funding from the National Institute of Mental Health at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center. As part of the early psychedelic research in the 1950’s and 60’s, music therapist Helen Bonny conducted research on the role of music in LSD sessions at Maryland Psychiatric Hospital. Bonny’s colleagues at the Centre included Stanislav Grof and Joan Kellogg. After psychedelic substances were prohibited in 1970, Bonny adapted her work into the therapeutic method now known as GIM. In 1973 she published a book, co-written with Louis Savary, entitled “Music and Your Mind: Listening with a New Consciousness”. Her PhD thesis in 1975 described her new method, which she called “Guided Imagery and Music,” and which outlined the development of the first music programs and first applications of the method. Helen Bonny set up the Institute of Consciousness and Music (ICM) in 1973.
How it’s practiced
The typical GIM session begins with a preliminary conversation during which the therapist assesses the mood and energy level of the client and selects the music program for the session. The client then reclines as the therapist offers suggestions for relaxing the body and focusing the mind in preparation for the music. The client takes the therapist along on his/her journey by describing the experience as it unfolds. The therapist’s role is one of facilitator and witness, to support the client’s engagement with whatever experience may come. The music—typically programmed sequences of Western classical compositions—acts as catalyst and container for the imagery process. After the 35-45 minute period of music, the therapist facilitates a return to waking consciousness, and the client and therapist review the session together. The imagery may be visual, somatic, auditory, or emotional. Sessions may be conducted individually or adapted for group work. The method draws on depth psychology frameworks, including Jungian and transpersonal approaches.
Bonny Method today
The Method of Guided Imagery and Music is now taught to therapists and practiced on every inhabited continent on the Earth. Training in the Bonny Method is completed in three levels, over at least three years. While each training program has its own approach, all programs lead a trainee to become a Fellow by the Association for Music and Imagery. The Association for Music and Imagery (AMI) is the professional organization that sets training standards and endorses programs internationally. Currently, there are nineteen, internationally located, AMI endorsed training programs: nine are in America, one is in Australia, one is in Canada, and eight are in Europe. The method is used in psychotherapy, medical settings, palliative care, and personal development contexts. Research has documented outcomes in depression, anxiety, trauma, and chronic pain populations. Modifications and adaptations for shorter clinical encounters have expanded since the 1990s, though debate exists within the field about how much the method can be altered while retaining its essential character.
Common misconceptions
The Bonny Method is not passive music listening or general relaxation with background music. It requires specialized training; therapists cannot simply play classical music and call it GIM. It is not the same as other music therapy approaches that use improvisation or active music-making. While it emerged from psychedelic research, GIM does not involve substances—music itself is the catalyst for altered states. The method is not religious or tied to any spiritual tradition, though it may facilitate spiritual or transpersonal experiences for some clients. It is not appropriate for all populations; contraindications include acute psychosis and certain neurological conditions. The therapist does not interpret imagery for the client; meaning-making arises from the client’s own process.
How to begin
For those curious about experiencing GIM, the Association for Music and Imagery maintains a directory of certified practitioners at ami-bonnymethod.org. Many therapists offer introductory sessions to determine fit. For professionals interested in training, Level I seminars (typically 36-50 hours) are open to qualified therapists and can serve as either personal development or the first step toward certification. Prerequisites typically include a graduate degree in a mental health field and an established therapeutic practice. Helen Bonny’s foundational text, Music and Your Mind: Listening with a New Consciousness (co-written with Louis Savary, 1973), offers accessible context for the general reader. Academic programs at institutions including Appalachian State University and Anna Maria College offer graduate-level training. Personal sessions with a certified Fellow are recommended before undertaking professional training.