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What is Music Imagery
Music Imagery is a receptive music therapy approach that engages with the images, sensations, emotions and associations emerging during music listening. Drawing on the principles and philosophy of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), it uses shorter, adapted formats suitable for different professional settings.
A session may include preparation and relaxation, establishing a focus, music listening and subsequent processing of the experience. The process can incorporate discussion, drawing, writing or movement and can be used with individuals or groups.
Who is this Training For?
MusiCares is designed for professionals wishing to incorporate music as a complementary tool in their practice, including:
Mental health professionals, psychotherapists and counsellors.
Music therapists and therapists from other disciplines.
Healthcare professionals, social workers and psychosocial support practitioners.
Educators and professionals working in psychoeducational settings.
Professionals in personal development, coaching and wellbeing, subject to an assessment of suitability.
Formal musical training is not required. An affinity with music and a willingness to participate in experiential learning are encouraged.
Applications are considered in relation to each candidate’s qualifications, experience and working context. Clinical and psychotherapeutic applications require the relevant professional training and competence.
What will you learn?
Throughout the programme, you will develop skills to:
Structure Music Imagery sessions with clear aims and an appropriate framework.
Select and analyse music in relation to participants’ needs and the intended depth of the work.
Facilitate music relaxation, focused music listening and repetitive music listening.
Support emotional expression, self-awareness and access to personal resources.
Develop a session focus around specific difficulties and therapeutic goals.
Integrate music experiences with verbal processing and creative expression.
Adapt MI approaches for individual and group work.
Recognise indications, contraindications and limits of application.
Incorporate the methods responsibly into your professional practice.
Training content
The curriculum develops progressively, connecting foundational concepts with more specialised applications. It includes:
Foundations of receptive music therapy: the history, principles and core concepts of Music Imagery and Guided Imagery and Music.
Session design and facilitation: preparation, relaxation, induction, focus, intention and processing of the experience.
Psychological foundations: supportive and resource-oriented approaches, resilience, creativity, emotional regulation, mentalisation and attunement.
Music Imagery methods: Music Relaxation, Focused Music Imagery, Supportive Music Imagery, repetitive music listening, and an introduction to Music Breathing.
Supportive and symptom-oriented work: adapting the approach to participants’ needs, resources and presenting difficulties.
Music selection and taxonomy: the mood wheel, musical containers and Lisa Summer’s Continuum Model.
Music analysis: an introduction to models developed by Helen Bonny and Denise Grocke, with an emphasis on Kenneth Bruscia’s four-step analysis method.
Creative processing: integrating drawing, writing and movement, including an introduction to basic mandala analysis.
Guiding interventions: using verbal interventions to support and deepen the processing of the experience where appropriate.
Applications across populations and settings: considerations for psychosomatic difficulties, trauma, cancer care, psychosocial support and psychoeducational work.
Professional and ethical practice: indications, contraindications, scope of practice and considerations for online sessions.
Experiential learning: demonstrations, practice in pairs and groups, and group consultation.
Introduction to the full GIM format: including a demonstration session.
Duration & Learning Format
The programme comprises 62–68 training hours, depending on group size. Training combines theoretical teaching, demonstrations, experiential exercises and practice in pairs and groups. Learning progresses from supportive applications to more complex Music Imagery work. In addition to the training seminars, participants complete practice sessions, personal MI sessions, supervision and coursework according to the programme timetable.
Completion Requirements:
To complete the unified MusiCares training, participants are required to fulfil the following:
Practical Application
Conduct 35 MI practice sessions with individuals or group including basic/supportive-resource oriented and advanced level of practice.
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Peer Practice
Exchange 3 MI sessions with a fellow trainee (give and receive)
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Personal Experiential Work
Receive 6 personal MI sessions: focused on supportive, resource-oriented work and advanced MI work, with an accredited programme partner therapist.
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Coursework
Submit one short written case study covering 6 MI sessions with the same client.
Create a personal playlist of 5-6 pieces appopriate for MI use
Submit a completed progress log.
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Certification & Accreditation Pathway
Participants who successfully complete the training and all associated requirements receive a certificate of completion of the MusiCares programme from SONORA. Graduates who meet the relevant eligibility criteria may apply to the European Association for Music and Imagery (EAMI) to become “EAMI accredited MI practitioners in the Musicares method”.
The programme covers the training components corresponding to Levels 1 and 2 of traditional GIM training. Professionals who meet the relevant EAMI criteria may continue to Level 3 of the full GIM training.
Give music a meaningful role in your professional practice.
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Supervision & Consultation
Participate in 2 group supervision sessions, depending on group size. The first, lasting 2 hours, is included in the training seminar and focuses on music selection. Subsequent group supervision addresses practical, clinical and educational questions arising from practice.
Receive 5 individual supervision sessions with the trainers or with accredited programme partners.
Attend at least one consultation of approximately 50 minutes addressing practical, professional or other non-clinical issues.
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Trainer: Evi Papanikolaou, PhD, EAMI accred. Music therapist, accredited trainer.
Assistant trainer: Dikla Kerem, PhD, EAMI accred. Music therapist, Psychotherapst