In this podcast, Martin Lawes talks to Helen Wallace-Bell about Supportive Music and Imagery (SMI) and Re-educative Music and Imagery (RMI). These are part of the contemporary spectrum of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) methods.
Helen explains what these approaches are and how the recorded music used is chosen collaboratively to help the client develop their inner resources or work on issues. Helen is involved in MI training which also gets discussed. In addition, Helen talks about her work with clients who have PTSD and about online groupwork with carers. She discusses various music used in this work including Breezin’ (George Benson, ), Angels Nest (Peter Kater, https://open.spotify.com/track/3ijj6aeXCKMZWsD0EdzneJ?si=ce6f4f6551184195), and Darkest Hour (Sevdaliza, ).
The podcast begins with Martin explaining how GIM in contemporary practice is a spectrum of different methods and approaches including MI. He outlines what the Bonny Method of GIM is, as the original GIM method, and how MI has been developed in part to meet the needs of clients where GIM is contra-indicated or is in other ways unsuitable. For music therapists wishing to use GIM with their existing clients, the MI methods are especially important.
Helen Wallace-Bell, MA, BA (Hons), FAMI, MIT(Dip.), IMBP(Dip.) trained as a Music Therapist at the University of Roehampton, qualifying in 2007. She then worked for many years with adults with a learning disability. During this time, Helen began training in GIM, an experience she found transformative and enlightening both professionally and personally. She is now a GIM Fellow and MI Therapist (MIT) working in mental health, trauma, personal development, and group work (). She is also an Independent Music Breathing Practitioner, Assistant Trainer and Supervisor at The Integrative GIM Training Programme (), and a аÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 registered supervisor.
Helen’s GIM training cohort were the first to be trained in SMI and RMI in the UK and she is passionate about the efficacy and value of MI as a therapy process. She has presented case studies at a number of conferences, including sharing the results of an SMI groupwork pilot project undertaken with music therapy organisation Whole Step CIC during Covid-19 lockdowns, and her own experience as a trainee using MI to process transference/counter-transference.
In her spare time, Helen enjoys living by the sea, and is a singer, songwriter, and percussionist in a folk trio.