MUSICURE offers music psychotherapy based on the belief that “Your answer always lies within.” The trained therapist will assist you with your process to explore within yourself and find your own answers.
Methods:
- The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM).
- Music Counseling
- Circles of the Self Assessment
1. The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)
The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) is a form of music psychotherapy developed by Helen Bonny, PhD, in 1970 at Maryland Psychiatric Institute where a group of researchers studied human consciousness. GIM is a method that involves listening to a music program while you are in a relaxed dream-like state to explore your psyche to find your own answers.
It requires five years of training to practice GIM. GIM is now assisting people all over the world including the US, Canada, UK, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Norway, South Africa, Korea, China, and many other countries including Japan. For details about the method, please visit the Association for Music and Imagery.
Process
Pre-session: You and the therapist will talk about your life and issues and decide on an intension to use music. An intension may be a question to yourself, something that you would like to have an insight or different perspective, or what you would like to explore within yourself.
Induction: The therapist will then provide a brief relaxation to loosen your body and focus your mind.
Music-Imagery Experience: As you listen to the music, you will verbally report your spontaneous imagery with the music to the therapist. Imagery may be visual, kinesthetic, intuitive, and emotional. The therapist may ask questions, intensify your imagery experience, or help you release something depending on what is needed in the moment.
Post-session Processing: After the Music-Imagery experience, you will again talk with the therapist and review and integrate the imagery. The therapist may assist you find a meaning of the imagery and reflect on your life.
Who would benefit from this method?
GIM may benefit individuals with anxiety; mild depression; stress; relationship issues; histories of trauma and abuse; histories of addiction; issues of grief and loss; issues around transition; difficulties around gender identity and gender expression; spiritual questions; physical, psychological, and spiritual pain; and diagnoses of medical conditions that are hard to be treated medically.
2. Music Counseling
If you experience difficulty putting into words, you may benefit from music counseling. Music counseling is a part of expressive therapy. This is a flexible process and you may be asked to bring your collection of music, play small instruments, or use voice to express what words cannot. Mandala drawings may also be used. After giving an expression, you will be assisted to process what needs to happen in the moment.
3. Circles of the Self Assessment
Circles of the Self Assessment is a creative and intuitive psychological assessment that combined ancient wisdom of circles with Jungian psychology and the concepts of Life Cycle.
In this projective assessment, you will be asked to choose shape cards and match them with color cards. You will also be asked to draw a mandala. Based on the cards and drawing, the therapist will explore with you your current psychological state and what is surfacing in your life.
Therapist:
Nami Yoshihara, PhD, MT-BC
Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery (FAMI)
Certified Public Psychologist (Japan)
Nami is a US-trained board-certified music therapist (MT-BC), a certified GIM therapist (FAMI) qualified by the Association for Music and Imagery, and a certified public psychologist which is a national licensure in Japan. She received bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music Therapy from Radford University, Radford, VA and PhD degree in Music Therapy from Temple University, Philadelphia, PA.
Nami started playing the piano at age of four and enjoyed being in the band during her high school and college years. She was influenced by classical music, rock, hardcore, jazz, new age, and world music.
Nami tries to live life fully embracing all aspects of life. In addition to muisc, she enjoys small things in life, being in the nature, and going for mountains and camping. She has a genuine interest in people and is looking forward to getting to know you and working together with you.
Fees:
GIM (The Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music)
- 1 session (90 minutes) 15,000 JPYen
- Those who plan for a series of GIM sessions (more than 5 sessions): 1 session (90 minutes) 13,000 JPYen
- GIM trainees: 1 session (90 minutes) 12,000 JPYen
Music Counseling
- 1 session (50 minutes) 10,000 JPYen
- Online (50 minutes) 8,000 JPYen
Circles of the Self Assessment
- 1 session (40 minutes + follow up) 5,000 JPYen
Standby System:
For those who are a full-time undergraduate student or have financial difficulties at the moment, discount fee is available. Please contact Musicure that you would like to use the standby system. If there is an open spot, your session is offered at discount price.
- GIM (90 min) 10,000 JPYen
- Music Counseling (50 min) 5,000 JPYen
- Circles of the Self Assessment (40 min + Follow up) 3,000 JPYen
Location:
Tokyo International Psychotherapy (SUNDAYS, Mondays, Fridays)
Joy Hills Nanpeidai Rm401
6-11 Nanpeidai-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0036
- For the detailed location, please visit Tokyo International Psychotherapy.
*GIM sessions are also available in Yokohama (Monday through Friday). The Therapy Space is about 5 minutes walk from JR Yokohama Station. Please contact for details.
Contact
Please click on the e-mail icon on the top of this page and e-mail for any questions and making an appointment. The therapist will respond within 24 hours except for weekends, holidays, and breaks.
Your answer always lies within
What you need may be the courage to step forward into yourself
