Integration Process in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music
Perilli, Gabriella Giordanella - Volume: 13
This article presents a new music program, Integration, proposed as a tool for helping experienced clients in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music during traumatic and stressful moments. It draws connections among neurophysiological phenomena, metaphorical processes, emotional responses, and musical experiences during the use of the Bonny Method as an individual form of music psychotherapy. One aspect of neurophysiology is the mirror neuron system in the motor cortex, which is stimulated by music. Music may thus be considered an auditory, metaphoric representation of human motion and emotion with the potential for evoking emotions in the listener. The article describes a rationale for the choice of the eight musical pieces included in the new program and associates the music to neuropsychological theories. A clinical case illustrates a patient’s experience with Integration.