Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based form of therapy in which a trained music therapist uses musical experiences and the therapeutic relationship to promote health, growth, and well-being. It involves the intentional use of music and its elements—  such as rhythm, melody, harmony, and dynamics—  to support emotional, cognitive, physical, social, and spiritual development according to each client’s needs and stage of life. Within a reflexive and interactive process, the therapist and client engage in musical experiences — such as improvisation, songwriting, singing, or listening to live or recorded music — as vehicles for expression, communication, and change. Music therapy is grounded in theory and research, guided by individualized goals, and practiced within a professional therapeutic framework.

The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), developed by Helen Lindquist Bonny, PhD, is a music- and imagery-centered therapeutic method grounded in psychotherapeutic principles. In GIM sessions, the music is carefully selected; it invites the expansion of awareness and assists in exploring the inner world — which is sometimes difficult to express in words — through imagery and emotions. The method can strengthen and deepen a sense of psychological and physical well-being by fostering integration between the cognitive, emotional, bodily, and spiritual aspects of the self. GIM can be adapted to a wide range of needs — from a supportive process that strengthen personal resources to more in-depth processing of conflicts and traumatic experiences. The method is also used for personal growth, the development of creativity, and spiritual development.

To learn more about the Bonny Method, visit 

https://www.ami-bonnymethod.org/

and 

https://www.music-and-imagery.eu/

What Happens in a GIM Session

A GIM session lasts between one and two hours. It begins with a brief conversation aimed at clarifying what you would like to explore, and continues with a guided transition into a state of relaxation, often through breathing or imagery. This is followed by the music-listening phase; the therapist plays a carefully selected “music program” — a sequence of several pieces presented consecutively, usually drawn from the classical repertoire and at times from other genres — in accordance with the themes that emerged in the conversation. As you listen, you describe aloud the images, sensations, feelings, or other experiences that arise. The therapist supports you through gentle, non-analytical, and non-directive interventions, helping you deepen and expand the experience. The music may evoke symbolic or emotional imagery that reflects your inner life and may offer new perspectives. When the music ends, you are gently guided to return to the here and now — to a more grounded state of awareness — and invited to reflect on what you experienced. This final stage helps integrate the insights, emotions, and creative impulses that emerged during the session.

Every GIM journey is unique. The images and emotions that surface belong to your own personal story, touching both everyday concerns and deeper layers of meaning. The journey unfolds at your own pace, held within a safe and supportive therapeutic space.

Dr. Dikla Kerem is an experienced music therapist and psychotherapist with nearly 30 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She holds a Ph.D. from Aalborg University, Denmark, where her research explored the effects of music therapy on deaf children with cochlear implants.

A licensed therapist by Israel’s Ministry of Health and a certified psychotherapist from the University of Haifa, Dr. Kerem is also a member of the Israeli Association for Psychotherapy, a fellow of the European Association of Music and Imagery (EAMI), and an EAMI-accredited BMGIM/M&B therapist. She co-founded and chaired the M.A. Program in Music Therapy at the University of Haifa.

In 1998, she was appointed to the Council for Higher Education’s subcommittee for the

accreditation of the Music Therapy Master’s program (M.A.) at Bar-Ilan University.

In 2021, the Israeli Association for Creative Arts Therapies (YAHAT) awarded her a Certificate of Appreciation for her contribution to the field of music therapy. Today, she maintains a private practice specializing in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and supervision for music therapists, offered in person and online. She also occasionally teaches and leads workshops at academic institutions.

At the heart of her work lies a belief in the power of music to open a space for listening, growth, and meaning.