mind balance
 therapy, support & personal development
 

Questions and Answers

Here are a selection of commonly asked questions. For more information on any of the areas covered, please contact Anthony Hall on 02920 912058.

- Is GIM therapy like a guided visualisation?
- Is it dangerous?
- What qualifications does the facilitator of these sessions have?
- Why is it called the 'Bonny Method' of therapy?
- How much does a GIM therapy session cost?
- Do you have any testimonials from other people
      that have experienced GIM therapy in Wales?
- Do you offer any services to businesses or
     charities?
 

1.  Is GIM therapy like a visualisation - will you tell me what to imagine?

No! Despite the formal name, (Guided Imagery and
Music psychotherapy), the only therapist-directed
part of the session is the guided relaxation.

The heart of the session is spontaneous with images,
feelings or body sensations allowed to arise and reported
back to the therapist.

There is no suggestion of images involved as there
might be, for example, during a visualisation relaxation
at the end of a yoga class.

2. Is it dangerous?

No. GIM sessions do involve a deep relaxation and the imagery work often occurs in an altered state of consciousness but it is this very fact that is a key element in the depth and effectiveness of the therapy. By working in a relaxed state, the subconscious can access feelings, experiences and intuitive knowledge that may take years to reach in conventional talking therapy. In a sense, at the deepest level the body knows how to heal itself or which direction in life feels right.

There are many people offering visualisation-relaxation type therapies - some of whom may be good at what they do and help you feel relaxed. With any deeper kind of work, particularly psychological or emotionally therapeutic work, it is vital to ensure that the person facilitating the sessions is fully trained and registered with the appropriate professional bodies.
 

3. What qualifications and experience will the facilitator of these sessions have?

4. Why is it called the 'Bonny Method' of GIM therapy?

After Dr Helen Bonny, the founder of this powerful music-centred, transformational therapy. Helen Bonny developed GIM during her work as a music therapist in America in the early 1970’s. Since then an intensive development of Guided Imagery and Music therapy has taken place and it has proved to be a powerful tool for self-development, personal support, psychotherapy, spiritual development, and for patients in clinical settings.

5. How much does a GIM therapy session cost?

Mind Balance Wales uses a fee structure for therapy sessions so that you pay a rate per session appropriate to your income which is agreed on initial enquiry.

If you are unsure whether it will work for you, why not try out a GIM therapy taster session? With all 2 hour taster sessions there is a money-back guarantee where at the end of the time, if you feel the session has not been helpful, your fee will be refunded in full (less a nominal £10 to cover the room hire).

The aim is to provide a low-cost and obligation-free opportunity to meet the therapist and find out if GIM therapy feels right for you.

(After offering this service now for many years no-one has yet said their taster was not helpful so no fees have ever been refunded!)

6. Do you have any testimonials from other people that have experienced GIM therapy in Wales?

Yes. If you would like more information on this, please get in touch.

7. Do you offer any services to businesses or charities?

Yes, for businesses I run staff training programmes specialising in generating creativity and increasing productivity.

For more information on staff training, visit the Mind Potential website.

Recent clients have included:

Craegmoor Healthcare plc
Great Eastern Hotel, London
The Training and Business Consultancy Ltd, Cardiff
Fabric Architecture, Gloucester
Insight HR Consultants, Newport

For charities, Mind Balance offers a range of workshops in the stress management, anxiety management and teamwork areas that can be tailored to your needs and your budget. Recent clients have included:

Breast Cancer Haven, Hereford
Torfaen Women's Aid
PHAB Wales
Breast Cancer Care Cymru
MusicSpace charity, Bristol

Some comments from previous courses: