Clients’ experiences of Music and Imagery (MI)sessions: An integrative literature review

Abstract

Music and Imagery (MI), which forms part of the Continuum Model of Guided Imagery and Music (CMGIM), is a receptive music therapy method developed by Lisa Summer (1999) as an adaptation of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (BMGIM). Training in MI started around 2005, and it is therefore a relatively new phenomenon in music therapy practice and research. MI includes and favours the use of clients’ preferred music during therapy. An integrative literature review was conducted to investigate how clients experienced MI sessions. Initially, 108 studies were identified through a comprehensive electronic search, including dissertations and presentations as well as personal correspondence with the developer of MI. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria with a total of 189 participants, ranging from one to 76 participants per study. Participants’ own descriptions of their experiences and researchers’ interpretations of participants’ feedback were examined in the six-phase thematic analysis process as described by Braun and Clarke (2021). Six themes were identified: Music as a catalyst for transformational experiences; Emotional experiences; Strengths, acceptance and self awareness; Affect regulation; Trust and feeling protected; and Connectedness. Upon reflection, the researchers found that these themes could all be connected. Music generated emotional experiences, which could assist with affect regulation as well as the recognition of personal strengths, acceptance and self-awareness, and feelings of trust and protection ultimately formed part of a sense of connectedness.