Somatic and Kinesthetic Imagery in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music: A Qualitative Study
Karen Caldwell - Volume: 19
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) facilitates symbolic and metaphorical imagery in many sensory modalities including somatic/kinesthetic imagery, but there is little written in the extant literature about the significance of this type of imagery and suggestions for guiding this imagery. The purpose of this qualitative study was to address this gap in the literature. GIM Fellows and Advanced Trainees (N = 19) were interviewed regarding their personal experiences of somatic and kinesthetic imagery, the significance of these types of imagery, and suggestions for guiding. A consistent theme in participants’ own personal sessions was that their somatic and kinesthetic imagery involved, on occasion, profoundly healing experiences. Suggestions for guiding included the importance of knowing one’s own biases, maintaining sensitivity to the effects of trauma, and methods for deepening engagement in somatic and kinesthetic imagery. Future research is needed to determine the prevalence of somatic/kinesthetic imagery, therapeutic processes that support this type of imagery, and the generalizability of the results of this study.
LOGIN TO DOWNLOAD Volume 19