Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

Lars Ole Bonde: The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music ( BMGIM)
with Cancer Survivors. A psychosocial study with focus on the influence of BMGIM on
mood and quality of life. Aalborg University, Dept. of music and music therapy. April 2005
Addenda
1. The rationale behind the use of whole, part or adapted choices of the Bonny
programmes in this study:
There are two aspects of the rationale underpinning music choice:
1) There is an ongoing discussion in the GIM community about the use of complete music
programs developed by Helen Bonny and others, versus the use of music program excerpts/a
more improvised selection of music from the programs as suited to the client’s needs (Ventre
2002). Music programs do not have to be long. Bonny herself has designed “short versions”
of selected music programs (see database “Music Programs”). Ventre (2002, p. 34) writes that
”some BMGIM therapists are more inclined to present a an entire program of music… other
therapists choose to follow the client wherever the client goes, thus making music choices as
the client progresses through the session.” In both cases the rationale for the approach is to
choose music “that will allow, support and deepen the client’s work.” (p. 34)
(2) The BMGIM therapist in this study was instructed to work with the six participants as she
would work with any other client(s). Her working style has developed over the years, based
on growing clinical experience and expert knowledge of the music programs, from a more
‘classical’ use of (complete) programs to a more improvised and individualized music
selection. Thus, the development described in section 8.3.3 (and documented in Figure 8.12
and Appendix 8.1) is understood as very common by the therapist, and also by the researcher.
New clients need some time to get used to the format, and when they are ready, complete
programs may be used. The therapist was especially aware of the specific issue of control/loss
of control when working with cancer patients who reported many negative experiences of not
being seen, heard, met or respected in the public health care system. This influenced also the
choice of music: complete music programs should only be used, if the participant was ready
for it and needed it. From an ethical point of view the therapist was also aware of her role in
the project and the potential dilemma of serving both the clients’ and the research project’s
needs. Based on this awareness she allowed herself to make a free music choice in order to
meet and match the needs of the clients as the primary goal of the therapy.