Client Experiences of Shifting from In-Person to Telehealth Formats of Guided Imagery and Music(GIM) Sessions

In concert with arts-based therapists, many practitioners of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) have shifted to providing sessions via telehealth in adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic. This new format offers a wealth of potential advantages as well as potential drawbacks, given the highly intersubjective, creative, and intuitive nature of in-depth arts-based therapies. This research explores client experiences of shifting from receiving GIM sessions in person to telehealth as well as similarities and differences in their experiences between the two session formats. Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with two
participants revealed that telehealth GIM sessions were experienced as beneficial but initially less effective than in person, that the therapeutic relationship with their therapist was developed in person and supported their transition to online sessions, and that the new fusion of settings–virtual and at-home–presented a new set of advantages and drawbacks to their sessions. Finally, their experiences of telehealth GIM sessions improved as they gained familiarity with the telehealth format.