Women trainee therapists’ growth experiences during their Guided Imagery and Music qualification training in South Korea

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) qualification training is an experience-centered training course. It emphasizes inner exploration and healing through self-therapy and teaches therapy skills to enhance trainee therapists’ professionalism. The aim of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceived growth experiences of women trainee therapists during their GIM qualification training in South Korea.

Method

This study utilized a descriptive phenomenological methodology. Seven Korean trainee therapists participated in this study. The data were collected using in-depth interviews. Colaizzi’s method was used to extract significant statements, formulate meanings, identify themes and the essential aspects of the trainees’ perceived growth experiences.

Results

The data analysis yielded 23 meaning units, nine themes, and three essential aspects related to the trainees’ growth experiences during GIM training. The themes include avoidance and resistance, thorough (esoteric) training, public eye, individual circumstances, therapeutic power of GIM, training methods and environment, motivation and effort to grow as therapists, personal growth, and professional growth. The three essential aspects of the trainees’ perceived growth experiences are growth challenges, the power to grow, and a two-faceted nature of growth.

Discussion

This study corroborates and extends the research findings of previous studies on the training of GIM therapists. Also, it identifies some contradictions in the trainees’ growth experiences that could be attributed to cultural factors. Although the study was not set up to evaluate GIM training programs, it provides some practical suggestions for GIM training programs in South Korea.

KEYWORDS:

• Guided Imagery and Music
• GIM training
• trainee therapist
• mental health

Acknowledgments

I thank Prof Kyung Suk Kim and Prof Mi Hyun Bae for their generous advice and support. Also, I express my gratitude to the seven trainee therapists who participated in this study and shared their experience of GIM qualification training. Finally, I am grateful to my wife and children, who supported me throughout this journey.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

No funding was received for this study.

Notes on contributors

Jinwook Kim

Jinwook Kim graduated from the Department of Music, Hansei University, South Korea, where he completed a doctoral program in music therapy. He has been working as a Nordoff-Robbins music therapist and GIM therapist at the Oullim Mindcare Center, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Jinwook Kim has published research articles in academic journals in South Korea. One of his articles titled ‘Survey Research of Using Guitar in Clinic by Local Music Therapist’ was published in 2016 by the Institute of Korean Arts Therapy. The article focused on the use of guitar by music therapists as an accompaniment instrument in their therapy sessions. His current academic and professional interests include music therapy, using guitar for music therapy purposes, Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), and adapting GIM training materials for trainee therapists in South Korea.