Assessment and Evaluation of Narratives in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM)

The author presents a new paradigm for GIM theory, research, and practice—one that adds new dimensions yet retains the integrity of the method. The main focus is on how both client and therapist can derive meaning out of the narratives that emerge in the GIM session. The paradigm consists of a new procedural component to the session, the use of cognitive concepts to analyze the narratives created by the client, and a method of assessment and evaluation. The new procedure is the “re-descriptive technique,” wherein the client writes a description of the GIM experience at home, after having time to reflect upon potential meanings. The narratives that the client develops from all the nonverbal and verbal materials from each session are then analyzed using cognitive concepts, such as ego resilience, emotional regulation, and cognitive dimensions such as abstraction, integration, coherence and so forth. Finally, the book concludes with easy to use forms for charting the client’s progress, not only in discovering greater meaning in life, but also in learning how to use and integrate the meaning-making process.

Table of Contents

Preface

Foreword: Kenneth E. Bruscia

Chapter 1: Introduction to Narratives in Psychotherapy

Chapter 2: Overview of Specific Ways of Using Narratives

• A System to Code Autobiographical Episodes
• Narratives That Clients Tell About Their Treatment
• A Model to Explain Personal Narratives Coherence: NaCCS
• The Narrative Processes Coding System: NPCS
• Narratives in Assessment of Interpersonal Motivation in Transcripts: AIMIT
• Narratives in the Postrationalist Perspective
• Narratives in the Redefining Psychotherapy
• Summary

Chapter 3: Narratives in Imagery and Music Experiences: GIM

• Basic Components in Imagery and Music Experiences for Narratives Assessment and Evaluation
• Imagery and Music
• States of Consciousness
• Verbal Processing and Narratives
• Narratives for Self-integration
• Redescriptive Narrative Technique.
• Summary

Chapter 4: Emotion and Resilience in GIM Assessment and Evaluation

• Emotions
• Two Types of Emotions
• Cognitive Appraisal in Emotion Modulation
• Emotion Regulation Capacity
• Emotion Regulation Strategies
• Emotion Regulation in GIM Experience
• Emotion and Cognition
• Individual Differences in Choosing Emotion Regulation Strategies

Chapter 5: Resilience: A Fundamental Attitude to Be Assessed in Narratives

• Trait and Ego Resilience
• Psychotherapy to Promote Resilience
• The Benefits of Resilience
• Research on Resilience
• GIM Narratives Improve Resilience
• A Clinical Example of Resilient Behavior Developed Through GIM Experiences
• Redescriptive Narrative and Reflecting by Anna

Chapter 6: Structural Components of Narrative Assessment and Evaluation.
Assessment in GIM

• Cognitive Aspects to Structure Narratives
• Chapter 7: Purposes of Using Narratives for Assessment and Evaluation in GIM
• How to Assess and Evaluate a Client’s Process
• Considerations and Summary
• Overview of the Present Approach

Chapter 8: Coding Scales for Assessing and Evaluating GIM Experiences

• Scale I: Resilient and Emotional Components
• The Resilience Attitude
• Emotional Regulation
• Scale II: Cognitive Structural Components
• Procedures for Using the Scales
• Scale I: Resilient and Emotional Components.
• Scale II. Cognitive Structural Components
• Coding Examples of Two Vignettes.
• Differences Between Transcript and Redescription Narratives
• Conclusion and Future Perspectives

References