Music Therapy Practicum Submitted To,: Assignment
Music Therapy Practicum Submitted To,: Assignment
Submitted to,
Submitted by,
Anju Vijayan
ASSIGNMENT: 8
Part 1
MUSIC AND IMAGERY
In music and imagery, music and its elements are used for evoking imagery.
Imagery and music is used to facilitate healing since ancient times. People of
ancient western civilizations especially Greeks, recognized and applied both music
and imagery for healing purpose. Imagery and music is also used for healing
physical illness along with mental illness. Looking back into the literature, in 1987,
Rider used imagery with improvised music for chronic pain. It was also found that
quality of imagery can be helpful in predicting the health status of the patient.
Imagery helps to identify the hidden thoughts of mind. Music helps in facilitating
the imagery. Music affects the emotions of human. Music had a significant effect
on the intensity with which feelings were experienced. 1
Therapist can ask the client to choose a comfortable position, concentrate the
breathe, close eyes, listen to music. Later therapist can ask about the imagery
came to clients mind. Here the client’s imagery is not influenced or guided by the
therapist. Imagery and music can be used for reducing pain, anxiety, stress etc.
Music listening in a deeply relaxed state to stimulates imagery, memories and
feelings to help the client understand life issues from a holistic perspective.
This is similar to music imagery and music. Here the intervention is given to a
group of people, who share common issues and nature like alcoholics, patients I
psychiatric setting, school ad students etc. Music and imagery can be used for
improving mood, reducing stress and anxiety, improving quality of life etc.
Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) has been taught and practiced for the last 25
years: in parts of the United States, and more recently in many countries around the
world. The practice was cited at the 9th World Congress of Music Therapy held in
Washington, D.C. in November 1999 as one of five outstanding contributions to
the music therapy field.
In the 1970s, American music therapist Helen Bonny developed Bonny Guided
imagery and music. GIM is closely connected to psychotherapy. It is effective for
people suffering from anxiety and depression, who are bereaved, who are
experiencing work related stress, have relationship difficulties, have been abused,
have psychosomatic conditions, have problems with addiction, or have a life
limiting condition such as Cancer. The Bonny Method is also an effective therapy
for self-development. Its history goes back to 13th century, where Tibetan monks
using similar process.
In 1985, Jeanne Achterber published Imagery in Healing. This book putforward the
scope of imagery and its positive effects. There were others like Dr. Martin
Rossman, Leslie Davenport who published similar books.
With this foundation, Helen Bonny explored the role of music in imagery. She
joined researchers to study about it especially serious illness like cancer. It has
been found effective for physical, emotional and other disorders. (stress related).
AREAS OF SCOPE
Pain management
Depression
Sleep disturbances
Relaxation
Anxiety
Stress
Mindfulness
TIME LIMITED SHORT GUIDED IMAGERY MUSIC (FOR
INDIVIDUALS) WITH ALL STEPS
There can be situations when the clients are not ready for too many sessions. Short
guided imagery is useful in such situations. Guided imagery focus on the
relaxation that helps create harmony between the mind and body. It is a way of
focusing your imagination to create calm, peaceful images in your mind, thereby
providing a “mental escape.” Short guided imagery is implemented with short term
goals. It can be decreasing anxiety, depression, Improving self-esteem, Enhancing
expressive and receptive communication, Supporting the grieving process,
Processing a traumatic event, Developing coping skills, Strengthening fine and
gross motor skills. Short Guided imagery is applicable only for individuals and not
group. Duration can be of 20 minutes.
Steps involved in Short Guided Imagery are as follows:
1. Initial Assessment:
It is performed at the beginning of therapy to gather information about the
client and to develop treatment goals. This information can be gathered from
medical professionals, family members and other records. It can include
demographic details, communication skill, cognition skills, physical
functioning, sensory functioning, behavioural functioning etc.
2. Music Discussion:
This includes the musical preferences and skills of the patient. What genre of
music does patient likes, is he trained in music etc will come under this step.
3. Relaxation Induction:
Once the first two are done, then the therapist can start the session by asking
them to take a deep breath and comfortable position. Music of the
appropriate choice can be used for better evoking imagery.
4. Feedback:
After the session, therapist can ask for the feedback and suggestion.
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Substance abuse
Grief
Posttraumatic stress
Relationship issues
Diminished self-care
Family and parenting issues
Other Benefits
Research evidence proves that 30 minutes of guided imagery had similar positive
effects to a 15-minute massage. Anxiety and stress can make it difficult to sleep
well. Guided imagery may help improve your sleep. It also helps in reducing the
pain. McDonald (1990) found that unmedicated hypertensives who participated in
a series of six weekly GIM sessions demonstrated significantly lowered systolic
and diastolic blood pressure. GIM also helps in the improvement of the mood.
PART 2
Duration: 30 minuted
COVID 19- This can be a difficult situation for all of us. We came across various
news through television, social networks, radios, etc. All the news may makes us
fearful. It makes us anxious, panicky and creates a lot of behavioral changes. We
may feel lonely at time. You may experience feelings of guilt that you were not
able to work or care for others. This may lead to feelings of depression,
helplessness or frustration. In this situation, first thing that we can do is accept this
situation and believe in the inner strength of yours. There should be hope for a
better tomorrow.
We can help you out to overcome these situations through music. We are using
music with guided imagery which aims at relaxing your mind and body. You will
feel relaxed, fresh, positive after the session. You can even try this by yourself at a
comfortable place and positions.
So, lets gets ready for being more active and energetic.
Take a comfortable position.
In this position, just take a natural breath in and out. Focus on yourself while
breathing in and breathing out.
Now, you think about this day, this place and this moment. How do you feel.
Try finding out the tensions you have at this moment. Try finding out the pain you
have at this moment.
(Music)
. Try to blow out all you frustrations, try to blow out all the stress, try to blow out
all the anger.
Now you can understand how big your frustrations were. How big your anger was.
How big your stress was.
Let it go. Leave the balloon and let it go. You can see its flying away.
(Music)
Immerse yourself into your life.. Bring the positive rays of hope to your mind and
body. Believe that You are very strong. You can start enjoying your life. Life is
beautiful.
(Music)
Now, you can come back to where you are. You can come back to who you are.
Now you are full of positivity, full of good thoughts.
Try moving your fingers. Try moving your head. Try smiling to yourself.
(Music)
When you are ready to come back, gently open your eyes.
Conclusion: