Music and Imagery Association of Australia

About MIAA

The Music and Imagery Association of Australia (MIAA) was established in 1994 with the late Dr Helen Bonny as the patroness. She is pictured below with our founders Dr Denise Grocke and Florence Holligan. MIAA became a Member Association of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) in 2000.

The Bonny Method of GIM uses recorded classical music as a profound catalyst for the imagination.

Dr Helen Bonny (1921-2010, pictured left) was a qualified Music Therapist and researcher at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Centre and the Baltimore Psychiatric Centre, USA, in the 1970s. Grounded in her seminal work, the Bonny Method of GIM (BMGIM) is researched and practised world-wide, and has been offered in Australia since 1985. BMGIM is an individual receptive music psychotherapy approach originally based on humanistic and transpersonal psychology, which today incorporates a wide range of theoretical approaches and models. It is a potent synergy of verbal therapy, music and art, and is often used in a series of individually tailored psychotherapy sessions. 

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MIAA Governance

The Music and Imagery Association of Australia (MIAA) is an incorporated body under Consumer Affairs Victoria, Registration number: A0032180H. Our governance is informed by the Associations Incorporation Reform Regulations 2012 and we adhere to those rules.

The purposes of MIAA are to

  • Foster the growth and development of the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music and related practices involving Music and Imagery. 
  • Promote and organise training programmes in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, and Music Imagery approaches.
  • Promote and organise Professional Development in aspects related to the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, and Music Imagery approaches. 
  • Promote and maintain professional standards of practice, and a code of ethical conduct. 
  • Promote all aspects of research into the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, and Music Imagery approaches. Promote exchange and communication with similar organisations in Australia and overseas.

MIAA Council

The day to day decisions of MIAA are made by the Council, which comprises between 6-10 people. In 2020-2021 the positions are held by the following persons: 

President: Anja Tanhane

Vice President: Louise Terry Clark

Membership Secretary: Gail Godfrey 

Treasurer: Vannie Ip-Winfield

Council members: Minky van der Walt, Dr Alison Short, Dr Imogen Clark

Professional Practices Committee

The PPC processes applications for Registration from persons who have completed an approved course of study in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music and is responsible  for monitoring standards of professional practice, ethical conduct and professional development.

The Committee comprises:

Chair: Louise Terry Clark

Committee members: Kay Kilham and Meran McKenzie

The Education and Training Committee oversees standards of education and training in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) in Australia and the requirements for approval of new education and training programs. It maintains standards of supervision and the training of trainers in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) programs in Australia.

The Committee comprises:

Chair: Dr Alison Short

Committee members: Professor Denise Grocke, Florence Holligan and Carolyn Van Dort.

There are two standing committees.

The Professional Practices Committee and the Education & Training Committee.

Public documents

MIAA Code of Ethics

​MIAA Constitution

MIAA Brochure